Dragon in hit parade
In streets thick with crowds, people got creative to get a good view of Hamilton’s Christmas parade. Reporter Libby Wilson and visual journalist Dominic Zapata round up the antics.
In streets thronging with Christmas parade crowds, people went to great lengths to get a good view.
There was a family atop a car and children with legs dangling off a bus shelter roof as Hamilton’s 2020 First Credit Union Christmas Parade set off on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
Others peered out from parking buildings or businesses along Anglesea St, leaned over the railing that runs up the hill to Wintec, or parked children up in supermarket trolleys. And, at ground level, crowds lined the street as more than
60 floats and walking groups covered the parade’s 1.2-kilometre-long route.
Out the front of the crowd was
21⁄2-year-old Brooklyn Kenny, bouncing and clapping as floats came past. She had been saying ‘‘Santa, Santa’’ all day and was eagerly looking up the road for the first glimpse of his arrival.
And the parade didn’t just attract locals: in the crowd was Rocco Walshe, 4, from Taupo¯ .
There was plenty for youngsters to watch while they waited for the man in red – from square dancers to motorbike-riding Stormtroopers.
A Fonterra tanker passed, draped in stockings and tinsel, and the sirens of a fire engine prompted a mixture of excitement and earcovering from the younger members of the crowd.
The All Star Cheerleaders showed off athletic moves, Snoopy and the Red Baron made an appearance, and various bands added to the festive spirit. A winding yellow dragon signalled the arrival of the Chinese community: one of several ethnic groups – including Nepali, Korean, and Filipino people – which were represented.
Sisters Sophie and Isabelle Kaan didn’t have just Santa to look out for – their dad was playing bagpipes with the Hamilton Caledonian Pipe Band. ‘‘It was very loud,’’ said Isabelle, 3.
‘‘I gave him a high-five but I missed,’’ added Sophie, 6.
She had little difficulty picking out her favourite parts of the parade: Santa, who waved at her, princess Elsa, and the clowns who handed out lollies. She and Isabelle got into the Christmas parade spirit, donning elf hats they brought especially for the occasion.
Others opted for more spur-of -the-moment decorations.
Brothers Marcel and Liam Wise, for example, wrapped themselves in the multicoloured streamers they had gathered.
Liam, 11, was a fan of ‘‘this orange car with a black stripe’’, mainly because he knew the man driving it.
For some of Hamilton’s younger citizens, it was their first time at a Christmas parade.
Some parents in the crowd told
Stuff they were also making their first foray, and many had their cellphones out to record the passing entertainment.
One parent noted the city was lucky to be able to hold mass gatherings, when many around the world cannot.
The parade is run by the
Hamilton Christmas Charitable Trust, which also promotes the annual Christmas tree lighting and concert.
The parade ran for 1.2 kilometres down Anglesea St, starting at the corner with Rostrevor St and ending at the corner with Knox St.
And for those who missed Santa, there is another chance to catch the jolly man in red, thanks to Santa in the Suburbs.
He will be out in Hamilton East on Wednesday evening and Rototuna on Thursday evening, dishing out waves and maybe lollies.
Further details and route maps are available on the Hamilton Christmas Charitable Trust website.