A Wānaka country artist will headline this year’s Alexandra Blossom Festival (September 27-28).

The jam-packed, weekend-long festival - an annual tradition - will feature entertainment, races, a grand parade and more, and country artist Jody Direen will be the headlining act.

The Blossom Festival favourite said she was “so excited to be returning to the Blossom Festival stage this year”.

“My band and I have a really fun, high energy set lined up and can’t wait to get back out there.”

Jody was born and raised in Wānaka and now lives in Franz Joseph, but she travels all over the world with her music.

The 2024 Blossom Festival will mark the 67th year of the festival, Blossom Festival event manager Martin McPherson said.

People and performers travel from all over to attend, and last year the festival attracted a record 15,000 people.

“We are so excited to once again be bringing a stellar lineup of bands and entertainment to Alexandra for this year’s festival - there is something for everyone from the little ones right through to the adults,’’ Martin said.

On Friday September 27 the Fulton Hogan Mardi Gras will kick off the weekend with the annual Round the Clock Race - where competitors race across the river and up the hill to the Alexandra Clock and back.

Into the evening there will be food stalls, street performers and FMX displays, and blues/rock guitarist Paul Foulds will deliver a set before the night ends with a fireworks display.

The festivities will continue the next day (Saturday September 27) with thousands of people expected to attend the Grand Parade, a colourful display of floats, florreys, marching bands, vintage vehicles, street performers and more.

Alexandra’s Pioneer Park will host carnival rides, wood chopping, gold panning, and two stages (a children’s stage and a main stage).

In addition to Jody’s set, festival-goers can expect music from The QFO Experiment, with original jazz-funk arrangements, and Simon Green’s ‘Solitary Man’, a tribute to Neil Diamond.

There will also be the crowning of the 2024 Alexandra Blossom Festival princess, winning float announcements, craft market stalls and more, Martin said.

“It’s going to be a great weekend - so make sure you lock it in to be here so you don’t miss out on all the fun.’’

Find more information and book tickets here.

PHOTO: Supplied