The parade began with a line of large trucks, followed by classic cars, marching bands, steampunks and of course, the floats.
The event began under the 17degC sun, but the sky was eventually covered by cloud.
Crowds then packed into Pioneer Park for carnival rides, food, drink and all manner of entertainment including New Zealand country musician Jody Direen.
Festival chairwoman Sharleen Stirling-Lindsay said there were 10,000 tickets printed and there were none left, although this did not necessarily mean all were sold.
"So I'm not complaining in that department at all. I went down to visit all the floats and all that before the parade and there was a real buzz of excitement."
The weekend was packed with new events which helped to spread out the celebrations.
These included a BMX competition, the Wings and Wheels car and plane show at the Alexandra Airport and the Southern Pro Wrestling New Zealand event at Dunstan High School.
