Mr Leiser said this year's parade focus was to increase the quality of floats "and get people excited again about the parade".
He enjoyed seeing the diversity of the district in one place and, looking forward, it was a good opportunity for the wider community to come together. It was a prime opportunity for organisations to use it as a team-building and community-engagement opportunity, he said.
"I am really keen to get back some of the businesses that have been there in the past - the various orchards, the Wattie's, the Furnwares - those iconic organisations.
"I'd also like to encourage individuals and friends to take up the challenge to enter a float."
Next year the Blossom Queen competition will be relaunched, with former Blossom Queens from 1960, 1964 and 1973 riding in limousines on Saturday to promote its return.
"It is going to be a little bit retro and quite a bit modern," Mr Leiser said.
Hastings City Business Association manager Susan McDade said it was "just fantastic to see so many people".
"There was a wide range of community groups there and plenty of elderly who remembered the heyday of the parade," she said.
She was involved with a new addition to the parade, the Blossom Breakfast Market, which ran in the Hastings City Centre from 9am.
While a wide range of groups supported the successful event, with retailers sporting window displays and competitions, she hoped the wider Blossom Festival would be relaunched in future.
"We would eventually like to do that on a higher-level scale - you can do a lot of little things wrong."
Her favourite float was the swan, which "was the star of the show".
"I happen to know there were people gluing blossoms on it all week."
Ten artists were commissioned to build mini floats which were towed behind bicycles and are on display at the Hastings City Art Gallery in the coming month. The Hastings District Council-funded event was organised by Creative Hastings.
Blossom Parade Awards
• Best Community
Bay City Rollers (robots, etc)
• Best School
Iona College (float - timeline)
• Best Commercial/Business/Trade
MP Foods (float).
• Best use of Natural Blossoms
Thai Buddhist Community (float)
• Best use of Artificial Blossoms
Hastings District Council (swan)
• Best Humour
Taikura Rudolf Steiner School (unicyclists)
• Best Dressed Individual or Group
Children's Drama Workshop (children)
• The Hits People's Choice Award
Taikura Rudolf Steiner School (unicyclists)
• Each category was judged by three judges on parade day, with each winner receiving a $500 cash donation. The People's Choice Award was decided by text votes during the parade and the winner received a $1000 cash donation.