Contact Energy yesterday said it would give free passes to the Alexandra Blossom Festival’s Saturday in the Park on September 24 to primary schoolchildren in Central Otago and Wanaka.
The park will be filled with food stalls, rides and two stages.
One stage is dedicated to acts for children and the other will host local and national bands.Contact Energy community relations manager Neil Gillespie said the company wanted to do something special for the event’s jubilee.
"It’s an important event for the community and Contact have been committed to it for a while.
"It’s a special year for the Blossom Festival and we were keen to make it cheaper."
Event manager Martin McPherson said it was a "really generous offer", which would make the event cheaper for families.
"We’ve always been aware that some families find it difficult and this will also increase our audience."
Organisation for the event was on schedule and a record 45 stall-holders had signed up for the craft market, he said.
Early bird tickets can be bought at a discount from banks, dairies and service stations in Alexandra and Clyde.
This was a "gift" for residents of the wider Alexandra area who made a grant to the festival every year through their rates, Mr McPherson said.
More than 3000 passes will be distributed at the schools.
This tickets will include a pass for one fairground ride or sideshow.
