Sign In / Register
Christmas parades in Warkworth and Wellsford have helped get thousands into the spirit of the festive season. Twenty-six floats paraded down the main streets of Warkworth on Saturday December 5.
Parade organiser Nicola Jones says the crowd was full of smiling children and the floats were the best yet.
“I’ve had really positive feedback from ‘Joe Public’. The floats get better every year and people have gone above and beyond,” Nicola says. “They weren’t just things people had slapped together in a week, they had put time into it.”
The Beehive Childcare Centre won the People’s Choice award for their Kiwi nativity themed float. Judges Steven Garner and Beth Houlbrooke from the Rodney Local Board and Rodney MP Mark Mitchell picked Warkworth School as winner of the school award, Warkworth Scout Group won the community and social group award, Warkworth Kindergarten won the preschool award and Warkworth and District Museum Society won the business award.
Meanwhile, the rain clouds parted for the Wellsford Christmas Parade on November 28, with about 18 floats parading down State Highway 1.
“It always amazes the organisers the variety and complexity of the preparation of floats and displays and 2015 was no exception,” event organiser Tony Sowden says.
Tomarata Playcentre won the Best Float Trophy and the children’s section, Wellsford Citizens Advice Bureau won the Community Section and Quik Autos took out first prize in the Business Section.
After nine years of organising the parade, Tony is looking to pass on the reins. If interested, call Wellsford Promotions president Stef on 021 954 241.
