New Plymouth brings the sun for Santa
Thousands of people lined the streets under a clear blue sky and blazing sunshine as Santa and his newly revamped sleigh took part in the New Plymouth Christmas parade.
Santa and Mrs Claus were joined by more than 40 floats in Saturday’s procession, which set off from the Clock Tower at 1pm and travelled along Devon St for a loop of the city centre.
In fact, there were so many participants that the New Plymouth Brass Band, which was at the head of the procession, caught up with its tail.
As the band made its way up Egmont St, some 20 minutes after setting off, it had to slow down and watch as Santa and Mrs Claus, at the end of the parade, passed by in front.
Only after Santa’s had gone could the band turn right into Devon St and make its way back to the Clock Tower.
Charles Thurston, spokesman for parade organisers the New Plymouth Central Lions, said it was unusual for participants leading the parade to get to see the floats following them.
‘‘I think it went really well,’’ he said of the day. ‘‘There was a big crowd. Bigger than we had expected.’’
As well as the parade the event included a Christmas Market on Queen St and free entertainment in the city centre, with free buses and pedestrianised streets thanks to a collaboration with the Taranaki Regional Council and New Plymouth District Council.
Thurston said it was the second year that the parade had followed the circular route, and he believed staging the event on a Saturday afternoon was ideal.
Among the onlookers lining Devon St were five-year-old Isabella Clarke and her sister, Paige, aged two. The pair were dressed in a matching fairy outfit and watermelon hats.
Isabella, who started Welbourn School in October, said she was most excited to see Santa and had been really good this year.
She gave Santa and Mrs Claus a big wave as they went past, ‘‘pulled’’ by the two reindeer at the head of Santa’s sleigh, Prancer and Dancer, who had been spruced up for the first time in 40 years.
Meanwhile, various groups and elves went past emptying buckets of lollies and handing them to youngsters lining the parade route, while others filled buckets with donations for New Plymouth Riding for the Disabled.
A fan favourite was Taranaki Bulls’ mascot Ferdinand who made children laugh and cheer when he zoomed past on a Blip electric scooter.
As well as Santa, the parade included Fire and Emergency New Zealand, Taranaki Community Rescue Helicopter, the SPCA, the Combined pipes from New Plymouth, Stratford and Ha¯ wera, the New Plymouth Indian Community, The Vintage Car Club, and Citywest Church.
Four winners were chosen by parade judges.
The winning schools’ entry was by the combined Catholic schools of St Pius X and St John Bosco for their nativity scene; the best float overall was Radius Care Heatherlea Rest Home; the best theme was won by the Salvation Army and the best community group was the Fitzroy Skate Group.
winners received $650 in prize vouchers.
Stratford’s takes place on on Friday followed by the Bell Block Christmas parade on Saturday.
The Eltham parade is on Friday December 13, Waitara’s and Ha¯ wera’s are on Saturday, December 14, Mania’s is on December 21 and the Opunake parade is on Christmas Eve.