Entry numbers were low this year for the Alexandra Blossom Festival Parade of Trucks, but Mother Nature can take a bow for that. Adverse weather conditions leading up to the Saturday of the truck show saw Friday’s festival events canned altogether. Some entrants from the Maniototo were even preparing trucks in the snow…

Thankfully, come show day, Mother Nature closed the window, made herself a cup of tea and pulled up a chair. This meant the 49 official entrants in the Alexandra Blossom Festival Parade of Trucks turned up in relatively sunny conditions. The show’s main organiser, Kate Booth, was stoked with the turnout, considering how bad the weather was and was highly appreciative of those who made the effort to enter.

Sheridan Foot took away the Star of the Show Award this year. The Scania he operates for Allan and Leanne Coombs from Dunedin could not be faulted and was a worthy winner. Sheridan was stoked as and very thankful for the prizes he won. Best Fleet was bagged by the team at Booths, but competition was tough from Mainfreight.

Along with those who entered, Kate wanted to pass on a huge thanks to the major prize sponsors – Scania NZ, TR Group and Spark Palmerston North – and the companies and individuals who provided merchandise. They were also supported by Bridgestone, Southpac Trucks Palmerston North, Z Energy Palmerston North, Crombie Lockwood Palmerston North, Dommet Trailers, Patchell Trailers, TMC Trailers, Aspiring Traffic, CAL Isuzu, MTD Trucks, Nissan, Cable Price Invercargill and James Crisp Ltd. In the end, there was so much donated merchandise and so many prizes that most if not all participants went away with an award.

Lastly, Kate would like to mention the judges for the day – Brett Borrell, Chris North, Marc Turnock and Oakley West. A big thanks to them, as it is the hardest part of the show.

SHOW RESULTS, ALEX BLOSSOM FESTIVAL 2023