Festivities for the 55th annual Alexandra Blossom Festival begin tonight with the Round the Clock Race and the Mardi Gras.
Festival event manager Martin McPherson described The Lakes District and Central Otago News Round the Clock Race as "contrived insanity" but "a lot of fun".
Carrying a baton from the Linger and Die start point, race competitors can use any non-motorised means to cross the cold Manuherikia River and scale the steep terrain up to Alexandra's clock on the hill then back again.
Mr McPherson said people usually kayaked, rode horses or mountain bikes as well as swimming and running.
The race begins at 5.45pm.
The Otago Daily Times Tarbert St Mardi Gras will run from 7pm to 9pm. Mr McPherson said this was a fun, family oriented event.
There will be live music, food stalls and competitions including the Best Dressed Bike.
The Festival King Competition also takes place at the Mardi Gras. Mr McPherson said competitors would be given tasks such as shaving a balloon and changing a baby doll.
The new king would then take pride of place on a float in tomorrow's floral procession.
