All aboard for Christmas parades

News of masked men roaming the streets is normally cause for concern.

But fear not, these masked jokers won’t be picking pockets or starting a ruckus.

If anything, they’ll probably be giving away lollies, as is expected from Christmas Parade punters.

Parade organisers Marlborough4Fun have added the ‘masked walking group’ to Blenheim’s parade this year to give the cavalcade a festive facelift. Marlborough4Fun events coordinator Danica Manson said they wanted to ‘‘refresh’’ the feel of the parade with the new category.

People could create their own Christmas-themed masks and be part of the parade, Manson said.

It was a good opportunity for school children to ‘‘get creative’’, she said.

Although no-one had actually entered the masked walking group yet, there was still time to enter, Manson said.

The parade had about 22 floats entered, with more likely to register before the event next Saturday, December 2.

While many regular groups had registered their floats, Marlborough4Fun had also received some new entries, including one from the Air Training Corps, Manson said.

Air Training Corps unit commander Tracy Dixon said the cadets were creating two floats for the parade, an airplane and a tank, representing their respective units.

Dixon said it was a great opportunity for the cadets to get out in the community.

Manson anticipated a few thousand people would turn out to celebrate the parade, often seen as the start of the festive season.

Entries would be judged and prizes awarded based on best effort, most creative and festive proportion.

The Blenheim Christmas Parade would start at Blenheim School next Saturday at 3.30pm, with a pre-parade concert at Market Pl at 3pm with live music, face painting and bouncy castles.

The parade was expected to go for about 45 minutes, heading along Alfred St, Seymour St, Queen St to Maxwell Rd, onto Market St North, back onto Alfred St and finishing at Blenheim School.

Meanwhile, the Picton Parade would be held next Sunday with celebrations kicking off at 2.30pm at the Picton Foreshore.

Picton parade co-ordinator Beryl Bowers is organising the parade for the 13th year running and is hoping the typically unlucky number will bring good luck on the day.

She anticipated a strong turnout from the Picton community and abroad.

“The Picton people just love it. I mean they just all come out for it,” she said.

There would be food trucks, face painting and even prizes for the best floats on the day.

The parade starts at 2.30pm, leaving from the Picton Police station heading down High St.

SCOTT HAMMOND/ STUFF Santa and his helpers at last year’s Christmas Parade in Blenheim.