This year’s Hastings Blossom Parade is set to be the biggest ever with 70 entries booked in to form a spectacular, lively procession around inner-city streets.
The action starts today (Friday, 22 Sept) with live music from Margot Pierard in the Municipal Building Laneway, and bars and restaurants across the city centre will be offering blooming special meals and drinks throughout the three days.
Saturday morning kicks off with an apple crumble Blossom Breakfast in Landmarks Square, and there will be fun activities all day for the kids in the central mall – from the giant inflatable slide to the Party Train Express, face painting, balloon animals, Mr Whippy ice-creams and more.
If the young ones want to get creative, head to Landmarks Square where they can get involved with all kinds of arts and crafts, including flag-making to wave and cheer as the Blossom Parade passes by.
Mahons Amusements carnival rides will be set up in Albert Square, running all day Saturday, and also from 10am to 2pm on Sunday.
The parade will begin at 1pm (watch out for our former Blossom Queens in the vintage cars), and on either side of that there is a full line up of live entertainment on the Blossom Alley Stage all day with local and national artists – running until 5.30pm.
On Sunday, Civic Square is the place to go for an outdoor showing of the film, The Greatest
Showman. Entertainment starts at 2pm followed by the movie at 3pm and food trucks will be on-site.
Hastings deputy mayor Tania Kerr says she is looking forward to meeting the former Blossom Queens from the past 50 years, who are enjoying a few days in Hastings, and to all the other events over the weekend.
“It’s so fantastic to have all this fun and life in our city centre, and what’s more it’s free!
“After what has been a very challenging six months I hope families get a chance to come and enjoy some time out from everyday life,” Cr Kerr said.
Go to www.hastingsblossomfest.co.nz for all the details and updates.
