A raft of new incentives to attract parade entries in this year’s Alexandra Blossom Festival has been announced.

The Alexandra Blossom Festival committee has announced it will donate $750 to clubs, schools and kindergartens which enter a float.

Private businesses will also be able to select a charity of their choice, which the committee will donate to on their behalf.

Alongside this, entrants will receive free entry into Pioneer Park for the Contact Saturday in the Park event.

Alexandra Blossom Festival chairwoman Sharleen Stirling› Lindsay said the committee recognised the additional pressure businesses, clubs, schools and kindergartens had experienced during the past two years and wanted to make it easier for them to participate.

“Times are tough. It is such a fabulous opportunity that we have to help businesses to still support charities that matter to them. And by having a float in the parade, it’s a way of celebrating our business community,” Ms Stirling› Lindsay said.

Ms Stirling›Lindsay said the new incentives were reflective of the business community.

“Whenever there has been a need I have seen them step up to help. This is our way of supporting them to continue to give to groups that they are passionate about supporting,’’ she said.

The new incentives were in addition to support already in place for floats, including $500 towards materials to build a float and free crepe paper supplied from Alexandra New World.

The festival is scheduled for September 23-25. Last year the festival was cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions.