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Children may have missed out on a traditional Santa Parade this year but they will still get a chance to meet Santa during special Sunday celebrations in Warkworth.
Shops in Warkworth will open on Sunday, December 12 and Sunday, December 19, to allow people to peruse possible Christmas gifts, grab a coffee or a bite to eat at a local café, and even get a haircut.
Stores will be open from 9am to 1pm and there will be musicians, children’s rides and Santa contributing to the festive atmosphere.
One Mahurangi Business Association manager and event organiser Murray Chapman says Mr Claus has been doubly vaccinated against Covid-19 in preparation for the event and will also wear a mask.
Santa will stroll around town having his picture taken with children and handing out lollies.
Murray says the hope is Mum and Dad will bring their children into town, and while one of them shops, the other can take their kids to the fun rides and to meet Santa.
Shops in all of central Warkworth will take part including those in Queen Street, Elizabeth Street, Baxter Street, Neville Street and Mill Lane, and shoppers will be able to take advantage of special deals.
Murray says the negative effects of lockdown and competition from online shopping has hit local retailers hard.
“A lot of money has been sucked out of the local economy. We thought it would be really nice to do something to support local businesses,” he says.
He says giving a gift voucher from a local business as a Christmas gift is also a good way to support retailers – ensuring money is “kept in town”.
Murray says it’s nice to have a festive event in town at last.
“Looking back over the year, the only thing we have been able to do is the Mahurangi Winter Festival of Lights and we were very lucky to get that,” he says.
