Blokes with no shed make St John float blossom
Blokes with no shed make St John float blossom
The men from Alexandra's Men's Shed may not actually have a shed to call their own but that has not stopped them finding a project to work on.
Blossom Festival
Wardrobe minimal for musical show
Wardrobe minimal for musical show
Nudity may or may not be on display during this year's Alexandra Musical Society offering - it all depends on "the technical bits".
Blossom Festival princesses gather
Blossom Festival princesses gather
The nine 2011 Alexandra Blossom Festival princesses assembled for the first time yesterday for a photo shoot and although it was not an official engagement, the judging began.
Disquiet at request community board help fund new arts event
Disquiet at request community board help fund new arts event
The wisdom of dishing out ratepayer funds to support a new art exhibition which might be in competition with the independently funded Blossom Festival arts exhibition was debated this week.
Fines total $7950 for festival counts
Fines total $7950 for festival counts
Court cases which hinged on the outcome of a "test case" over police processes during Blossom Festival weekend were finally settled in the Alexandra District Court yesterday, with a total of $7950 in fines imposed.
Police letters challenged in court
Police letters challenged in court
Letters similar to those offered by police to people arrested at last year's blossom festival for minor offences, to enable them to plead guilty without appearing in court, are used by police around the country, the Alexandra District Court heard yesterday.
Go native, forum on biodiversity told
Go native, forum on biodiversity told
Several exotic species were celebrated in festivals and high-profile events in Central Otago, but we should also celebrate native species, ecologist Grant Norbury told those attending a biodiversity forum in Alexandra this week.
Loophole query delays hearings
Loophole query delays hearings
The fate of between 40 and 50 people charged with offences during blossom festival weekend hinges on the outcome of a legal challenge over whether correct procedures were followed by police.
Event 'will live to see another day'
Event 'will live to see another day'
The Blossom Festival would definitely "live to see another day" thanks to the combined efforts of a vast number of people who rallied in support this year, chairwoman Clair Higginson said at the festival's closing event.
Dismiss festival charges, lawyer urges
Dismiss festival charges, lawyer urges
Up to 65 people arrested at blossom festival weekend will find out within the next month if their charges will be dropped, with an Alexandra lawyer claiming police mistakes had resulted in a "miscarriage of justice" for some.
Lawyer says charges are likely to be defendable
Lawyer says charges are likely to be defendable
People arrested during last month's Alexandra Blossom Festival who pleaded guilty by signing a police letter, or who were declined the right to contact a lawyer, are being urged to contact Alexandra lawyer Russell Checketts.
Central focus wins the day for blossom festival
Central focus wins the day for blossom festival
Returning a Central Otago focus to this year's blossom festival has given the event a shot in the arm, organisers say.
70 arrested at Blossom Festival
70 arrested at Blossom Festival
Police have praised the behaviour of thousands of people who turned out to celebrate spring at the Alexandra Blossom Festival this weekend, despite about 70 alcohol-related arrests. Senior...
Tour springs to life
Tour springs to life
An event that literally puts the "blossom" right back into the blossom festival proved popular again this year, with the annual garden tour attracting about 600 people.
Renewed interest in festival excites organising committee
Renewed interest in festival excites organising committee
A resurgence of interest in this year's Contact Alexandra Blossom Festival bodes well for the success of the event, after a shaky start to its 54th year, festival chairwoman Clair Higginson said yesterday.
Newly-crowned festival queen `absolutely amazed'
Newly-crowned festival queen `absolutely amazed'
The 2010 Alexandra Blossom Festival started yesterday with the crowning of its senior queen at the Alexandra Community Centre.
Queen for a day
Queen for a day
The Alexandra Blossom Festival begins on Monday with an event that celebrates the contribution made by the district's senior residents.
Confidence for festival on trimmed budget
Confidence for festival on trimmed budget
The budget for this year's "resuscitated" Alexandra Blossom Festival is $100,000 less than last year's outlay as the committee is predicting a turnaround in the festival's fortunes and is aiming for a profit.
Mardi Gras returns to Tarbert St
Mardi Gras returns to Tarbert St
Back by public demand, the Tarbert St Mardi Gras is on the programme for this year's blossom festival, after a break of about five years.
Blossom festival tickets cheaper
Blossom festival tickets cheaper
Lower ticket prices to get into Alexandra's Pioneer Park after the 2010 Blossom Festival procession should make the day more affordable for families, the organisers say.