Santa here for December 2 parade

A jolly man dressed in red who frequents many chimneys has been asked to be special guest once again at the Napier Christmas parade.

He will appear on December 2, along with more than 45 floats.

Although Santa Claus was too busy preparing for his worldwide, whirlwind delivery tour on Christmas Eve to provide comment, he managed to send a quick message saying that he thought Napier children were some of the best behaved he had seen.

The parade will start at 1pm, leaving from Clive Memorial Square, travelling up Tennyson St and across Hastings St.

It will turn into Emerson St, once again finishing at Clive Memorial Square. It will be followed by a Christmas fiesta, from 1.30pm to 3.30pm.

The parade is a combined effort, by Napier City Council, Mitre 10 Mega Napier & Hastings, and Napier City Business Inc.

The Mitre 10 Mega Napier & Hastings team will also be handing treats out to children prior to the parade, while the fiesta will feature entertainment, a bouncy castle, food stalls and Santa’s grotto — for photo opportunities.

Napier City Council marketing manager Rebecca Ainsworth said she was looking forward to the event because it brought joy to everyone who attended.

Event organiser Jonathan Smith of Eventimento said there were 45 registrations to date for this year’s parade, including four pipe bands, three marching groups and a range of mascots.

“We’ve got not-for-profit organisations, businesses, community organisations — all sorts. The participants really are a representation of our diverse communities and their take on Christmas, what it means to them.”

Parade registrations are open until 5pm Monday, November 19. To register, go to: https://www.napier. govt.nz/napier/whatson/christmas-parade/