Hastings Blossom parade attracts thousands

The "Show us your HeART" 2018 Blossom Parade drew 20,000 people to the streets of Hastings to watch the festive occasion. Photo / Warren Buckland

Thousands of people ventured out of their homes to attend 2018 Hastings Blossom Parade.

For some it was the time they had laid eyes on the festive event, for others it could have been their 20th nostalgic visit as the parade weaved its way into their family traditions throughout the years.

The sun shone, there was barely a breeze, it wasn't too hot, but it wasn't too cold either as people lined the streets to show their support and fascination for the floral floats.

"When you have weather like that, people are just committed to coming. Everyone was in a good mood. It was just the perfect day, Arts Inc Heretaunga and organiser Lyn Mackie said.

This year's theme was "Show us your HeART" and judges had the difficult task of judging 58 beautiful creations.

The winner of "Best Use of Natural Flowers" went to the Thai Buddhist community, who completely covered their vehicle in flowers, orchids, which they had specially flown down from Auckland on Saturday morning.

"It was a true float, it was just completely hidden by the flowers."

At the end of the parade they handed them out to the beaming crowd, so they something special to remember they day by.

"Best use of Artificial Flowers" went to Hastings School, while "Best Community" went to Wesley Samoan Methodist Church Youth Group.

"Best Dressed Individual or Group" went to Steam Punk Society Hawke's Bay.

"Best Humour/Most Unusual" went to Giant Puppets.

Mackie said it was the first time the puppets had entered in that category and it was hugely popular among the crowd and judges.

"Best School" went to Te Kura o Mangateretere and "Best Business" was awarded to Kiwibank.

The "People's Choice award" went to joint winners Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Ngati Kahungunu ki Heretaunga and Hastings Central School.

"The highlight for me was just as it is every year, the whole combination of so much work that goes into the parade whether it's big or small, the diverse nature of the parade.

"We had workshops done by people who had never done any art before, it was just great.

"Our goal for next year is to get far more businesses involved, it's just such a great team effort and something that really pays off."