Blossom Parade floats coming together in Hastings

Hastings district councillor Wendy Schollum lent a hand preparing the council's float for this year's Hastings Blossom Parade. Photo / Warren Buckland

The Hastings District is blooming with ideas as many work hard to prepare the floats for this year's Blossom Parade.

Ahead of the annual spectacle, it's all hands on deck at the council and many other organisations including community groups, schools and businesses preparing more than 50 floats.

Not only that, a lot of brainpower is going into creative costumes and performances that will colour the streets of Hastings on September 15.

Hastings district councillor Wendy Schollum has been lending a hand preparing the council's float for the parade.

She's encouraging people to take part on the day to catch the results of all the hard work that's going on around the district in the lead-up to the popular spring event.

Schollum says she's a regular at the parade, which marks the much anticipated return of the warmer months each year and celebrates living in the Hastings District.

"This event is a highlight of the year for me and my kids aged 5 and 9.

"I grew up going to the blossom parades and it's great to be able to pass that tradition on to the younger generation."

This year's Blossom Parade theme is "Show us your heART", and people of all cultures and sectors of the community will be showcasing their way of life or services offered.

The diversity of creation will be reflected in the floats, performances, music, costumes and vehicles that will slowly weave their way through the city centre.

The parade starts at 11am on the corner of Lyndon Rd and Warren St.

The popular event has been held annually since 1950, with more than 20,000 people expected to gather to watch this year's parade.

Prizes are on offer for participants in seven categories: Best School, Best Community, Best Business, Best use of Natural Flowers, Best use of Artificial Flowers, Best Humour/Most Unusual and Best Dressed Individual or Group.

Prizegiving for the categories as well as the overall People's Choice Award, will be at 1.15pm at Civic Square.