Blossom Festival surplus $30,500

The normally pink blossoms have been in the black for seven years. Photo / Michael Craig

The Alexandra Blossom Festival is in the black seven years running.

The festival committee announced yesterday the 60th jubilee in September, which attracted 15,000 people to Pioneer Park, achieved a surplus of $30,500.

Committee chairwoman Clair Higginson said this was "certainly on the higher end".

"You can partly put that down to it being a more complex event for the jubilee. The beautiful day also attracted a huge attendance."

A "change in culture" to emphasise the event as family-friendly led to success in recent years.

There was "visionary" planning on the part of event manager Martin McPherson and the committee, she said.

Contact Energy offering one free ride and a free ticket to primary school children in the region helped with its affordability, she said.

Contact Energy community relations manager Neil Gillespie said it was proud to be involved in an event which boosted the community.

"I think it was a pretty cool day in what's become an iconic New Zealand event."

Past surplus money has been invested in the park's power supply and gone towards supporting local groups. Part of this year's surplus will fund an establishment loan for the WoolOn fashion event.