It was like a sideshow alley conjuring trick as Saturday dawned fine and the temperature steadily rose as the day progressed.
Alexandra was on tenterhooks after states of emergency were declared either side of Central Otago and the festival’s Mardi Gras events were cancelled on Friday.
However, the Alexandra Blossom Festival — which has never been cancelled because of weather — once again captivated an enormous crowd of all ages.
"It was like people held off then came in droves."
Trucks so highly polished they reflected the waving crowds, eight floats, florries — supermarket trolleys decked out like miniature floats — unicyclists, stilt walkers and street entertainers delighted the waving and cheering throngs who lined the streets before they headed into Pioneer Park for the rest of the day.
