Santa Parade is No 1

The AUCKLAND Farmers Santa Parade is almost an ingrained family tradition for one Whangaparaoa family.

Manly resident Lesley Fifield, her two children Zoe and James and her motherin-law Maureen from Okura have been performing in the parade for the past seven years, and this year is no exception.

This year Zoe even gets a coveted spot in the limelight with Santa’s float.

‘‘She’s really excited about that,’’ Lesley says. ‘‘ Every year she’s done something different, and Santa’s float is always the big draw.’’

Zoe is also performing three numbers at the after party in Aotea Square with the Auckland City Theatre Academy, right before Titanium performs.

For Zoe, one of three chosen to share the lead role in Annie the musical earlier in the year, the parade is a priority.

‘‘It’s definitely something they will keep doing,’’ Lesley says.

‘‘Zoe puts other things off to do that. She’s often got other dances and shows, but the parade always takes priority because she loves doing it.’’

For Lesley and her family, the big draw of the parade are the people involved with it.

‘‘I am always amazed at how everyone just loves it and it makes everyone so happy just from watching,’’ Lesley says.

‘‘Some are just so overjoyed when they try their costumes on. There are older people who keep coming back as well as young people because they all enjoy it so much. I think it’s really lovely.’’

More than 250,000 spectators are expected to line Auckland central streets on Sunday in anticipation of the arrival of Santa, with December 7 as a rain date.