Contact Saturday Party in the Park
Pioneer Park is the destination for the Contact Grand Procession which starts at 11.45am on Saturday morning, September 22.
Always a popular addition to the annual Blossom Festival, the parade is followed by a fun afternoon at Contact Saturday in the Park.
This family afternoon extravaganza is packed with fun and everyone has a chance to choose their favourite float in the Best Float Competition.
Use the ‘‘vote’’ portion of your ticket to vote for your favourite float.
On the main stage, from 1pm, there will be entertainment from The Red Band. Delighted to be the headline act at this year’s Festival, a combination of RED Trio harmony singers; Lisa Moore, Charlotte Graf and Margaret O’Hanlon (as pictured) will be fronting Queenstown’s RED Band - Nigel Hirst (saxophone/ keys), Marc Hamilton (drums), David Kennedy (guitar) and Drix Valdo (percussion) for a massive mix of current contemporary artists, classic country an blues through to popular rock hits which will keep you dancing into the evening!
The Nukes International touring group The Nukes from West Auckland are far more than a ukulele band. Part vaudeville, part rat-pack, part musical car crash and totally original. This talented trio deliver an engaging mix of humour and originality that audiences of all ages will love.
The innocent little uke is the instrument of choice and folk will be staggered by what they are able to achieve with it. Great song writing, musicianship and 3-part harmony combine to create a truly memorable entertaining experience.
Ukulele will never be the same again. Visiting to promote their Nukes III album which spent six weeks on the NZ album chart top 10 as well as their upcoming tenth anniversary –including new material for the upcoming fourth album.
Festival entertainment is not limited to the main stage - situated in Pioneer Park there will be
Wood Chopping demonstrations featuring current and former champions of this unique sport.
Massed Pipe Bands gather from the four corners of Pioneer Park and march to the stage for a rousing performance before the official ceremony.
Between 4 and 4.30pm there will be a break for the crowning and prize-giving, as well as the official Festival week opening speeches. We will introduce you to our current Princesses.
Following the official ceremony, we welcome back The RED Band to play out the rest of the afternoon.
We are not forgetting the young or the young at heart.
The Kids’ Stage features acts from previous festivals plus the best in entertainment for the whole family. Prepare to be entertained by Shad Rutherford – Entertainer NZ’s most versatile variety act - Unicycle, Juggling, Balloon Twisting, Balancing - you name it - he can do it.
Wayne McEwan - The Magic Guy – be astounded and amazed and amused by Wayne McEwan the Magic Guy.
He’ll have brand new Illusions and Magic guaranteed to make you wonder and leave you smiling.
Mullet Man – a talented and genuinely funny circus performer who has won many international awards for his unique comedy stylings - Mullet Man is so named after his beautiful hair cut! Critics’ Choice at the World Buskers Festival.
Sport Suzie - Sport Suzie is New Zealand’s Crazy Aerobics, Sport and Circus fanatic.
Inspired by the great Jane Fonda, Flash dance, and the music and fashion of the eighties, Suzie aims to shake the laughter out of any audience. Complete with crazy unicycling, contorted juggling and weird weightlifting tricks, this is one character you don’t want to miss.
Skye Bromberg, aka Kitty Cat woman is one crazy cat lady!
Kitty is not only a master of hoola hoop manipulation but like her namesakes, she loves climbing things, and squeezing herself into small spaces, it’s a cat thing.
See her throughout the park and on Stage!
Kate Thompson; Kate is a tutor at Circotica Circus School in Christchurch, we’ll see her hanging from our giraffe crane with crazy contortions, and the amazing grace and artistry of aerials and roving throughout the parade as our very own Circus Bubble Fairy.
A very special guest, Dean O’Brien, YIPADEE, will make an appearance on the Kids Stage, bringing you live, the characters made famous in his very popular books.
Within the Park there will be a vast array of food, Central Otago wineries, local craft beers and other refreshments alongside talented local artists and craftspeople showcasing their works.
The Alexandra Blossom Festival Committee encourages everyone to enjoy the fun and entertainments on offer - gather all your friends and family together to enjoy a wonderful Spring afternoon in Pioneer Park. Admission to Contact Saturday in the Park: Early Bird sales to Friday, September 23, 5 tickets for $25 under 5 free.
Available at Alexandra I-SITE and local Alexandra businesses on the day, 5 tickets for $45 under 5 free.
For more information about additional events including the Round the Clock Race, the Mardi Gras, Mainstream FMX Spectacular, the Truck Show, Garden Show and Cars in the Park, please visit www.blossom.co.nz