The giant birthday cake float was one of the highlights of the parade. Photo / Simon Cartwright Photography
The giant birthday cake float was one of the highlights of the parade. Photo / Simon Cartwright Photography
Petals, performers and plenty of colour. Hastings’ streets bloomed on Saturday as about 22,000 people gathered for the 75th Blossom Parade anniversary event.
The annual highlight of the Blossom Festival brought together 61 entries, with the largest number of participants yet, according to organisers.
Hastings Blossom Festival drew an estimated 22,000 people on Saturday. Photo / Simon Cartwright Photography
Families line up for the Ferris wheel as part of the Blossom Festival carnival rides. Photo / Simon Cartwright Photography
Colourful floats, dancers, mascots and musiciansbrought the community to life through the city centre. Among them were the Hastings District Council’s giant birthday cake, the Hawke’s Bay Magpies, and “Judi Drench”, the airport fire engine.
During the event, families enjoyed free rides, face painting, circus acts from newcomer Zaktacular, giant inflatables, music performances, and more.
A child enjoys face painting at the Blossom Festival’s family fun zone. Photo / Simon Cartwright Photography
Children play on giant inflatables, a popular attraction at the festival. Photo / Simon Cartwright Photography
Students from Hastings Boys’ High School perform during the Blossom Parade. Photo / Simon Cartwright Photography
Crowds watching circus performances during the 2025 Blossom Festival. Photo / Simon Cartwright Photography
Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst said the parade captured the heart of Hastings’ “community spirit”.
“This event is a celebration of who we are, our creativity, and our connection to one another.”
Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst and parade director Lyn Mackie cutting the birthday cake to celebrate 75 years since the first Blossom Festival was held. Photo / Simon Cartwright Photography
It’s been 75 years since the first Blossom Festival was launched in 1950. The parade had a gap of about 20 years after 1972 and returned in the early 1990s.
