The election of some young members comes as a relief for long-serving committee members who have been worried who will keep the festival going.
Erica-Jayne Tipene (28), Kylie Switalla (27), Peter Breen (28), and Alice Murrell (in her early thirties), are working to ensure this year's 52nd festival stays modern and relevant.
Nationally-renowned musicians are being secured for a concert and there are plans for other new events.
WoolOn creative fashion event liaison Jill Tosswill had increased her consultation with possible entrants this year.
‘‘We want to be building this event every year and are looking at boosting our sound, stage, and lighting. Hopefully there will be a significant number of high school pupils from Alexandra entering the event as well,'' she said.
Committee chairman Steve Battrick was excited to be working with new members to enhance the current programme.
‘‘I'm delighted.
‘‘It puts a new perspective on the way we approach the festival activities. With the new committee members will come new ideas we can introduce to the traditional programme."
Project managers Selar Henderson and Karin Bowen, of ProjectExcel, said a review of the festival had been completed.
She said everyone involved was committed to keeping traditional aspects of the event, such as the float parade and the princesses and queens competitions alive, while updating the eight-day festival with a modern and vibrant approach.
Mr Henderson said Mrs Murrell and Ms Switalla were relatively new to Central Otago and their newcomer-views would be invaluable.
Ms Switalla said the festival provided her with a strong involvement in the community she had called home for the past three years.
Ms Tipene and Mr Breen joined the committee last year after growing up in Alexandra where the festival was a memorable part of childhood.
‘‘There were rumours the 50th festival would be the last and I wanted to make sure it continued,'' Mr Breen said.
Ms Tipene and Mr Breen will organise the mardigras, concert, and Saturday in the park events respectively, while Mrs Murrell is the committee's new secretary and Ms Switalla will be this year's liaison for the festival procession.
Treasurer Leo Hulme retained his former position.
The 2008 festival, sponsored by Contact Energy, will start on September 27 and finish on October 4.