However, the weather affected the race with competitors crossing the Shaky Bridge rather than going through the Manuherikia River as it was too high.
Officially opened on Wednesday night, the Blossom Festival has been running all week with the Blossom Drive signs going up on Monday and the Senior Queen being crowned on Tuesday afternoon.
Despite a cool wind the biggest ever number of contestants lined up at Linger and Die to race up to the iconic Alexandra clock and back again.
In the individual race Joey Vilela was first back closely followed by Harry Thow, of Alexandra.
Vilela, a rafting guide, lives in Blackball, on the West Coast, but went to Dunstan High School.
"When I was at school I came second so wanted to come back and win it", he said after the race.
Runner-up Harry is a student at Dunstan High School and won two years ago. His mother Mandy Wardell was in the first group of women to finish.
Ms Wardell said she and her son thought it was a good chance to enter together as it was Harry’s last year at school.
Alexandra Primary School won the school section.
After the race the crowd was wowed by the exploits of Freestyle NZ FMX with the motorcycle riders performing jumps and stunts best not tried at home.
Proving even the best laid plans can go wrong one of the riders rode into the crowd lining River St.
A statement from the Blossom Festival committee said four people, including the rider, were attended to by the on-site ambulance at the scene. All four returned to the festival afterwards and the FMX show continued.
A health and safety investigation had begun, the statement said.
As the evening darkened luminous fairies glided through the crowds who were well-fed by a variety of local food trucks while blues rock musician Paul Foulds entertained.
The evening finished off with a spectacular fireworks display.
Today kicks off with the float parade at 11.45am and then the Contact Party in the Park.
Blossom Festival committee chairwoman Sharleen Stirling-Lindsay said despite some claims on social media none of the festival’s events were livestreamed.
