December 15 date for Santa Parade

 

BY JULIA WADE

Only 13 more sleeps and once again, in a blaze of tinsel and festive cheer, Santa will be rolling through Mangawhai in the town’s second annual Santa Parade. Organisers of last year’s incredibly successful event want to remind locals and visitors to highlight Sunday December 15 on their calendars for not only the Christmas convoy but also Carols in the Park which will take place later on in the cool of the evening.

Floats and participants will gather at Alamar Crescent for judging by Kaipara mayor Dr Jason Smith before hitting the streets around 10am and making its way along Wood Street shopping centre, travelling down Molesworth Drive towards Mangawhai Activity Zone (MAZ) where children get to meet the big guy in red. 

Starting at 5pm on the grassy fields of MAZ, entertainment groups including local acts Mangawhai Choir, Totally Uked, Rodney College and Hakaru Jam bands, Scottish dancers and solo performers are set to perform Christmas carols plus a variety of music and song.

Close friend of Santa and parade coordinator, John Phillis, says everyone is invited to the special festive day out in Mangawhai. “A Santa Parade in the morning and then return for Carols in the Park in the late afternoon, what an amazing day for all the community to lead into the spirit of Christmas.”

n For any inquiries, please contact John Phillis 021 339 329 or johnphilliscelebrant@ gmail.com