Bells, bows and ball gowns delight crowds

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Seven local homes and venues including the Mangawhai Museum and the Pioneer Village’s Tara Road School and Church, lit up with festive lights and décor recently, for the second annual showing of ‘Bows & Bells’.

Presented by Mangawhai Museum and sponsor, Stylish Homes, the lure of all things Christmas attracted over 150 people to the event, throughout the weekend of December 2 and 3. Santa Claus made an appearance on both days, keeping cool from the summer heat in the shade of the museum foyer, as he talked to children about their Christmas dreams and posed for photos.

“We had a fun weekend, children enjoyed Father Christmas and the lucky dip bins, and the decorations were greatly admired with lots of favourable comments,” museum manager Emma Gray says. “We raised a bit over $7,500 which includes donated Christmas items for sale in the Museum Shop from Labour weekend, so are very pleased with the result.”