Amazing display returns
BY MICHELLE LOTTER
CHRISTMAS PIRATE: Volunteer Sue Uttley puts the finishing touches on a tree with a nautical theme.
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Featuring 150,000 lights, 150 trees and scores of elaborate decorations, Christmas Wonderland is set to illuminate the festive season once again.
Up to 30,000 children and adults from throughout Auckland and beyond are expected to wander through the Christmas forest this year.
Having attracted 22,500 visitors last time, the popular biennial event has grown significantly from its beginnings in 2004 as a fundraiser for the Rawene Community Centre, when it attracted 7500 visitors.
"A guy from New York who does international event organising said it was up to the standard of any other international event," co-organiser Mary-Rose Hall says.
And while some of the decorations resemble childen’s toys or tasty treats, there are no problems with children touching decorations or trying to take them home, co-organiser Arlene Tyler says.
But a child could be forgiven for mistaking the gingerbread cookie decorations for the real thing.
"We had a girl, she would have only been about two years old, gnawing on a gingerbread man decoration," Mrs Tyler says.
"It wouldn’t have been very digestable," she says. "But it was very cute."
Christmas Wonderland is put on by a core team of about five volunteers, with help from others, working tirelessly for up to 12 hours a day, five days a week in the weeks before the opening.
Decorating work begins in August, Mrs Hall says.
"That’s kind of our payment at the end – to watch these people come out of here with their spirits lifted," volunteer Ange Weir says.
"It’s amazing what you can do for people.
"There’s been lots of great volunteer help, which we need. We still need help during the event."
If you would like to help out at the event, email info@christmaswonderland.org.nz or phone 481-3030.
Christmas Wonderland is on at the Rawene Centre from November 25 to 29 and from December 2 to 6. Hours are noon until 10.30pm.
Tickets are $5 for under-12s, $10 for adults and $20 for a family of two adults and two children. For more information visit www.christmas wonderland.org.nz.
- © Fairfax NZ News
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