The Vincent Community Board allocated more than $50,000 at its meeting on Monday but only after money was trimmed from some applications.
The largest grant, $25,650, went to Promote Alexandra for events such as the Summer Daze series of events that saw the return of the Miss Alexandra swimsuit competition earlier this year.
The group's newly appointed event manager, Martin McPherson, told the board he was looking to spice things up and create more events for the town - a Waitangi Day picnic, for example, which would celebrate the cultural diversity of the area, particularly with overseas orchard workers in town.
Promote Alexandra was only one of four applicants to the Alexandra Promotions Grant - money was also sought for the Thyme Festival ($11,000), Community Arts Council ($5000) and the town's volunteer-run ice rink IceInline ($6000).
Their applications exceeded the amount of available money so board members took $500 each off applications for the Thyme Festival, the Community Arts Council and Promote Alexandra, and $2000 off IceInline's application.
Board member Tim Cadogan said he was "so unimpressed with IceInline's case" after questioning Robert Kvick , who was speaking in support of the application, about why the rink's management committee chose to spend money on advertising that was not likely to reach their market.
Instead, Mr Cadogan offered to help Mr Kvick and other rink volunteers set up an advertising system using social media.
Promote Alexandra chairman Shayne Hitchcock said the group had already revised its application and reduced it by more than $13,000 by taking out items for which they would look elsewhere for funding.
Board members also thought the Community Arts Council could generate income through charging a commission on any pieces of art sold during their Art in the Garden event.
Organisers of Clyde on Sunday, a series of themed markets, applied for $6000 from the Earnscleugh-Manuherikia Promotions Grant and were given that full amount.
Dave Ritchie, one of the organisers, said they wanted to build on the success of this year's markets and possibly organise an evening one.
He said they were also looking at other things such as free wi-fi, as was available in Lawrence.
