Christmas community-style
No parade but the jolly red fella will be posing for family photographs
The Central Hawke’s Bay District Council has decided against organising a traditional Christmas Parade this year, opting instead for a Community Christmas Celebration.
The council states: “After a tough 2020 for many in our community, council has decided to mix things up this year in order to provide our community with one big festive celebration— and an event that backs our local businesses.”
The replacement event will be held on Friday, December18, from 4.30pm to 8 pm along Ruataniwha and Northumberland Streets in Waipukurau and promises free activities and rides, performances, carols, speciality stalls, food trucks, late-night shopping and a chance for the community to come together to support one another after a particularly hard year.
Santa will be also be in attendance, and available for photographs at Santa’s Grotto.
CHB Mayor Alex Walker says: “We are all looking forward to farewelling 2020 and welcoming in the holiday period with our community. The evening will be a combination of all our beloved past events, in one big celebration that ultimately supports our local businesses.”
Leading up to the event there will be a Christmas window competition for businesses from December 1 onwards.
Windows will have official entry stickers and the public can follow @chbdistrictcouncil on social media to see all the entries. The first-place prize of $200 and the second-place prize of $150 will both be announced at the December 18 event.
Central Hawke’s Bay locals will also have another opportunity to win, with a Costume Competition organised for the night. Attendees can enter at the event using the hashtag #CHBChristmasCostume2020 to be in to win a group prize of $250 or an individual prize of $100.
The full event schedule is still to come, but a Facebook event page has been established— go to 2020Central Hawke’s Bay Community Christmas Celebration!