Festival fun shone in the sun with parade and song

16 Jan, 2023

WORDS: JULIA WADE

PHOTOS: HARRISON PHOTOGRAPHY

With a jingle of bells, flashing lights and marching shoes, Mangawhai Activity Zone’s [MAZ] Christmas Parade made its merry way down the area’s main strip on December 18, conveying a summertime yuletide message of family, fun and friendship, and love for the community.

Postponed from the original date of December 11 due to forecast wild wet weather, participants and sightseers basked in afternoon sunshine. Kept cool by water-gun wielding children of all ages, the convoy – which included a dazzling array of glittering, tinsel-covered floats from local businesses, clubs and schools, marching ladies, colourful butterflies, classic cars, golf carts, an old tractor graced with finery and even a zippy scooter-riding Santa – headed down Molesworth Drive to MAZ.

Escorted by two elves towing his sleigh, the official gift-bearing Santa handed out presents to eager children who also took the chance to grab a photo with the legendary character.

Bayleys Mangawhai Christmas fundraising raffle of a children’s playhouse was drawn after the parade with the ticket tally totalling an impressive $1720.30, a significant donation for MAZ. Bayleys salesperson Amanda Bond happily hands over the large cheque to parade/concert coordinator John Phillis, who said ‘thank you Bayleys for your support of MAZ.’