Christmas cracker: Thousands see Santa

ROBERT CHARLES/Taranaki Daily News

CROWD PLEASERS: Part of the huge turnout on New Plymouth's main street for Saturday's Christmas parade.

New Plymouth's Christmas Parade

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ROBERT CHARLES Zoom

People lined Devon St in their thousands to watch the ever-popular Christmas parade.

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Christmas cheer filled the streets on Saturday evening, as New Plymouth's Christmas Parade got everyone into the festive swing.

People lined Devon St in their thousands – another bumper turnout to the ever-popular parade.

"It's the start of Christmas, it's when the kids start getting excited," New Plymouth mother Maree Julian told the Taranaki Daily News, getting a bit excited herself as she waited for a glimpse of her daughter Ava's float.

"We have to get a tree now."

As the clock tower struck 6pm, a siren sounded, motors hummed, a brass band launched into Hark the Herald Angels Sing, and led the parade on its merry way.

For some young Santa fans, the occasion was their first, and while they were youngsters of few words, their parents were fairly sure they were having a ball.

Rhys Baker, 1, was among them.

"I think he's enjoying it," his dad Marty Baker said.

Nine-month-old Robbie Priest was another first-timer, his dad Tim Priest said.

"We generally come along every year especially now, it's a bit of a buzz for the children."

Lorraine and Ron Millman had brought their two-year-old granddaughter Breanna along for her second parade.

"It's really good this," Mrs Millman said.

"It just gets you into the spirit of Christmas and the kids get all excited."

There was something to keep everyone happy though – not just the kids.

Mayor Peter Tennent and New Plymouth MP Jonathan Young were near the front in vintage cars.

Following them was the usual array of Christmas scenes and other colourful attractions including Scooby Doo in the Mystery Machine, a mobile gymnastics float, a "hippy Christmas" float and vintage machinery to name a few.

The Miss Taranaki and Junior Miss Taranaki float attracted plenty of waves from amorous young men, while a car crash scene from the Taranaki District Health Board and fire brigades cast a sobering reminder to keep safe on the roads over Christmas.

But no matter how popular the other floats, "Big Red" stole the show and as he brought up the rear of the parade, tossing lollies like there was no tomorrow, whispers and the occasional shout of "there's Santa, there's Santa," spread through the crowd.

Palmerston North's De Groot family were in town for the parade and were particularly impressed by Santa's choice of distribution method.

"It's not too PC," Glen de Groot said.

"They still throw the lollies out. In Palmerston North they have to hand the lollies out so that's pretty sad."

Andy and Andrea Butler and their son Daniel 12, also enjoyed the parade.

"Yeah it's really good this year, a lot of variety," Mr Butler said.

"It's good to see some Christian stuff too, it's not as commercial as it has been, it's really good."

And so it was.

The parade wound down and the crowd drifted away, but the feel of Christmas in the air lingers on.

- © Fairfax NZ News