Rain, rain go away

Organisers Jo and Paul Kuriger are hoping the rain has gone by the time Waimate’s popular Christmas in the Square begins tonight.

While the organisers of an annual Waimate festive celebration are prepared for wet weather, they are confident the show will go on.

The town’s Christmas in the Square will begin at 7pm tonight and while showers are forecast for this morning, event coorganiser Paul Kuriger said the weather was looking fine for this evening.

However, tomorrow was an option if conditions were too wet.

About 2000 people attend the annual event which raises about $1000 for charity.

Attendance at the festive celebration has more than doubled in the 12 years since it first began at Seddon Sq with a handful of entertainers, a bouncy castle, and carols by candlelight.

Over the years fireworks, volleyball and a hospitality tent for the elderly have been introduced to keep the event fresh.

This year will feature some surprises with singers from various nationalities appearing on stage, Kuriger said.

‘‘The whole crux of this event is to have every member of the community able to enjoy and participate.’’

Multiple organisations were on board, he said.

The Santa 50 wheel race, launched in 2017, will pit defending champions the Waimate District Council against the Glenavy Fire Brigade and Property Brokers Waimate in a race based on the Waimate 50 motorsport festival.

‘‘It’s probably going to have a couple of different twists in the course this year,’’ Kuriger said.

Money raised will go towards Centrecare Counselling Waimate.

The event is scheduled to start at 6pm with entertainment from 7pm.