The Alexandra Blossom Festival’s big weekend began last night with the roar of motorbikes and the bang of fireworks.
Hundreds gathered in the Linger and Die reserve to watch more than 100 athletes compete in the Round the Clock Race.
Competitors slogged from the reserve to the town’s famous Clock on the Hill and back on foot, in kayaks and on bikes.
James Brent won the adult individual section in 8min 38sec and Coby Pope, of Alexandra Primary School, won the primary individual title in 9min 53sec. The Pulse Fitness team brought a new element to the race by winning in 6min 12sec after a team member paraglided from the clock down to the finish line.
The crowd was then entertained by music and motocross during the festival mardi gras.
"It’s going to be fantastic. There’s great weather and everything else that could go right has gone right."
Trucks, floats and decorated shopping trolleys known as florreys will cruise down Centennial Ave this morning in the grand procession.
The action will continue in Pioneer Park with food, drinks, music, carnival rides and the crowning of the Blossom Queen.
In a first for the festival tonight, Southern Pro Wrestling New Zealand will stage a bout in the Dunstan High School Gymnasium.
