Who’s a sharp-dressed bear then?
The Presbyterian Support Services bear, complete with top hat, vest and glasses, was an eyecatching float in the Santa Parade in Invercargill on Saturday. Glorious weather attracted between 17,000 and 20,000 people to the parade.
Sharon Lowe hadn’t been to a Santa Parade for at least 30 years until Saturday, but it was worth the wait.
The colourful floats and entertainers brought smiles to young and old as the parade moved through the inner city in warm temperatures.
Watching with her daughter Tara Lowe and grandchildren – Cooper, 4, Zavier, 4, and Marlee Nimo, 2 – made for an enjoyable afternoon, Lowe said.
Living in the country and other commitments prevented her from attending past parades.
‘‘I’ve now got grandchildren and it’s great to bring them along. It’s heaps of fun for all . . . the floats look great.’’
Rosie Taylor, Terrence Walters and Taylor’s daughter, Lizzie, 1, were keeping an eye out for a family member on one of the floats. Taylor’s father, Gary, was entertaining with other members of the Ascot Park Auxiliary Brass Band.
Also among the appreciative crowds were Lucie Humphries and daughter Mabel, who turns 2 next week. ‘‘It’s lovely for children and families . . . I love watching it all,’’ Humphries said.
One of the organisers, Ross
Wensley, said it was wonderful to see the children enjoying the event in the fine weather.
He estimated the crowd at between 17,000 and 20,000.
‘‘It just gets better every year,’’ he said.
‘‘It feels really great when it runs well and the weather is fine.’’
About 1000 volunteers are involved in the parade, with some having worked with Wensley in recent weeks tidying up the floats owned by the Southland Christmas Parade Charitable Trust. Businesses, groups and organisations also had floats on show.