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The Warkworth Santa Parade on Saturday, December 7 promises to be something special this year.
For the first time ever it will culminate in Carols in the Park, with the Warkworth Big Band, Matakantata Choir and Warkworth School Choir performing Christmas songs as the sun goes down.
Another first is that a purpose-built stage will be donated for the performance by local companies Absolute Scaffolding and Omaha Construction with Shrinkclad Ltd providing its services as well.
The stage will face Lucy Moore Memorial Park, creating a natural amphitheatre where people can sit on the hillside relaxing, singing along and holding candles.
Warkworth Big Band manager Aaron ‘Buck’ Rodgers, who organises the carols supported by Warkworth Rotary, says having a proper stage this year, instead of a flatbed truck, means the concert will be on a much larger scale.
“We could have 70 or 80 people up there performing. It’s great to have the schools involved, because they’re involved in the parade as well,” he says.
Parade organiser Murray Chapman says not only are the two events being combined, the schedule is packed from start to finish with no gaps in the entertainment.
“We’d like to start with a market day in the morning, and encourage retailers to get involved, followed by the Santa Parade and the prizegiving in the afternoon, then the Family Fun Day, which leads into the carols.
“We wanted to put something on that was affordable for families with zero or very little cost.
“We’re expecting 40 floats, which is on par with last year, and it’ll take around 45 minutes. For the best viewing spots, getting there early is probably a good idea,” he says.
As is traditional, town crier Dave Parker will lead the procession in a sports car ringing his bell, followed by the Warkworth/Wellsford Pipe Band, the police, fire service and the event’s two main sponsors, Warkworth Toyota and Barfoot & Thompson.
And of course Mr and Mrs Claus will make an appearance.
“People get quite enthusiastic about their floats. It’s not like the Auckland parade where people can spend thousands of dollars. I’m just as happy here if someone gets a supermarket trolley and dresses it up.”
Chapman says attendees will be able to cast their votes for the best floats with a prizegiving to be held after the parade.
“Also people can enter to win a doll’s house, which has been donated by Keith Hay Homes.”
After the prizegiving Family Fun Day kicks off with live music from local acts all afternoon until the carols start, he says.
“We’ll have food trucks, a coffee car, and Mr Whippy. We’ll also have face painters and things like an egg-and-spoon race, tug of war, three-legged races – almost like school gala activities. Games that we can do with little kids right up to adults. Then we have the carols to cap everything off.”
If you’d like to enter a float, walk or volunteer in the Santa Parade on Saturday, December 7 email
admin@onemahurangi.co.nz
Timetable
12pm: Floats begin assembling on Baxter Street (via Percy Street).
2pm: The Santa Parade kicks off, winding its way down Queen Street, looping behind the Bayleys Building, returning to Queen Street, continuing down Kapanui Street, and onto Wharf Street, before making one more circuit along Queen Street and finishing on Baxter Street.
3pm: Prizegiving on the stage at the bottom of Baxter Street by Lucy Moore Park.
4pm onwards: Enjoy live music on the stage throughout the afternoon.
Food trucks and coffee carts will be located at the bottom of Baxter Street, offering a variety of tasty treats and hot drinks.
4pm: Family games kick off in the Baxter Street reserve. These activities are free of charge and weather dependent, so fingers crossed for sunshine!
7.30pm: Carols in the Park – a perfect way to close the day with festive cheer.
Santa comes to Snells
Santa will also be landing on Snells Beach on Friday, December 13 at 5pm.
Santa and Mrs Claus will arrive at the Snells Beach reserve by amphibious craft accompanied by the town crier and the Mahurangi East Volunteer Fire Brigade.
The Claus’ will join the pohutukawa family gathering on the reserve, with an opportunity for photos with Santa, not to mention the traditional lolly scramble.
The Snells Beach Ratepayers and Residents Association as well as the Algies Bay Residents and Ratepayers Association will also be there with a focus on ‘meet your neighbour’.
This will be the first time that Mahurangi East and Kawau Bay Action Group have combined to bring people ‘Christmas at the Beach’.
Families are encouraged to join the festivities, which will run from 4pm to 9pm.
