There was a large turnout to a meeting last night which was called to gauge support for the loss-making Alexandra Blossom Festival.

The Central Otago event has marked the arrival of spring for more than 50 years and promotes itself as New Zealand's longest running festival, however, creditors are owed more than $81,000 after last year's celebrations.

Spokesman Tim Cadogan is impressed that more than 300 people turned up last night and says there was a positive mood.

"The feeling is that they wanted to be brought back to a local, small town event rather than trying to be something that we're not which hasn't succeeded in the past."

The Vincent Community Board will now decide how the festival can continue financially.