BESIDE the Ōtorohanga District Council’s buzzy bee float (from left) are Gaylene Cumpstone, Sharen Webster-Fuatai, Deputy Mayor Annette Williams, Ōtorohanga Ward Councillor Katrina Christison, Emma Korovata and Anita Salca
The Christmas parade season kicked off with a magnificent effort put together by members of Ōtorohanga’s Kiwiana Committee and District Development Board last Friday.
The event was an apt forerunner to the Te Kuiti Christmas Parade to be held tomorrow, the Kawhia Christmas Parade on December 14 and the Piopio Christmas Parade on December 22.
Twenty-five organisations registered floats for the Ōtorohanga parade, some providing multiple entries.
Organiser Marain Hurley acknowledged many hours had gone into decorating the floats and making costumes, “all of which made the parade so amazing”.
“It is likely the crowd which turned out to see the parade was even larger than last year’s,” Marain said.
“The Kiwiana Committee and Ōtorohanga District Development Board have to thank all our volunteers for helping to make the parade such a success. And a special mention of thanks to the Ōtorohanga Lions and volunteer marshalls who kept our children safe during the parade.
“It was great to see so many people come to see Santa and watch all the awesome floats. A big shout-out to our many sponsors; we couldn’t have done it without your wonderful support. Also, to the Inframax Construction team who looked after the traffic plan and traffic control management.
“Christmas parades bring the community together to celebrate the start of the Christmas season.
“It’s wonderful to see the joy and excitement from young and old as they wave to the crowd from their floats or watch from the sidelines.”
Best Floats: Ōtorohanga South School, 1; Hopscotch ELC Preschool, 2; Wireless Dynamics, 3.
