Hastings Blossom Festival 2011

Hastings Blossom Festival 2011 parade
Photo by Patrick O'Sullivan, Hawke's Bay Today

Saturday’s Hastings Blossom Parade has been hailed as one of the best seen in recent years.

It was a blend of rugby fever, cultural festivity and spring colour with the Rugby World Cup celebrations in town. Many couldn’t make up their minds as to who they were backing, with All Black flags flying alongside their country colours, interspersed with the traditional spring blossoms.

The ever-popular Batucada Brazilian drumming ensemble, back for its ninth year, opened the carnival atmosphere with a beat of the drum and samba swing of the hip.

Hawke’s Bay Today, 19 September 2011