Beach holds its Christmas festival
Waihi Beach is having its second annual Christmas festival in the town’s mainstreet next Friday, with stalls and late-night shopping.
Get ready for festive fun, live music, fab food, Christmas carols and activities for the kids.
The shops will be open and Wilson Road through the main shopping area will be closed from Citrus Avenue to Snell Crescent, so people can wander safely and enjoy the spirit of Christmas.
Santa’s arrival in a vintage fire engine at 5pm will launch the fun evening, after a walk around the event area he will retire to his grotto ready to meet local children and chat and have photos.
There will be stalls, face painting, candy floss, sushi, a sausage sizzle and more. The shops and eateries will be open for late night shopping, with Christmas carols and people dressed for the occasion. Emergency vehicles — fire, ambulance and Coastguard — will be there for people to check out and have their photos taken. Kids can post letters to Santa and also, be aware that a drone will be capturing Santa’s arrival, if you see one in the sky around 5.15pm.
The Christmas festival is a joint venture between the Waihi Beach Village Group and Waihi Beach Events and Promotions.
“The initiative for the festival came from the Village Group and because we are unable to run Carols in the Park this year, we offered to help with the festival,” said Teresa Qualtrough from Waihi Beach Events and Promotions.
Teresa said they have closed the street in the core business hub in response to feedback from last year.
“Many people commented via social media afterwards that it was a great event, but would be so much better with the road closed. And due to the fantastic turnout last year, younger kids had a hard time telling the road from the footpath. We want parents to feel relaxed about safety as its very much an event for the whole family.”
The groups have been going through the process required to close the road with Western Bay of Plenty District Council staff members who have been very supportive. The Waihi Beach Christmas Festival, Friday December 21 from 5pm to 7pm. Head along, bring the family, enjoy the festive atmosphere and do some Christmas shopping at the same time.