Fudge floats thousands' festive fun

DONNA WALSH/ Waikato Times

FUDGE FEST: People rush to get their hands on the chocolate fudge from the Classic Hits float at Hamilton Christmas Parade.

DONNA WALSH/ Waikato Times

SANTA'S HERE: Santa and a helper wave to the Hamilton Christmas Parade crowd.

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They came, they saw and they ate the results.

It was no surprise that at yesterday's Hamilton Christmas Parade the Classic Hits edible float was one of the most popular attractions.

Radio host Mark Bunting's calls for help in demolishing the chocolate-fudge house had people pushing and jostling to sample some of the melting fudge.

Between 20,000 and 25,000 people watched the parade, making it probably the largest crowd in five years, according to Hamilton Christmas Parade Trust chairwoman Karen Watkins.

"Everybody seemed to be in great spirits – it's such a happy atmosphere," she said.

Calls for Santa erupted from the waiting crowd long before the boom of brass and pipe bands' drums were heard or the coloured cheerleaders at the head of the procession sighted.

Three-year-old Heidi Perring's one desire was to see Santa. The small girl and her friends sat waiting for their first sighting of the jolly man in red this year – it was Heidi's first time at the parade which travelled a 1.2km route along Anglesea St.

Heidi's mum, Heather Perring, said sunshine was making a great day even better for the family, who came to Hamilton from Christchurch this year.

Thousands of families, children and prams in tow, crowded the street to see the 100 different floats. Five-year-old Denee Read got her wish early on when she saw a grooving Alvin and the Chipmunks bopping on a float moving down the street.

Santa's much anticipated appearance some 45 minutes later drew gasps from the crowds and Heidi smiled from ear to ear. But his jolly Christmas greetings, static reindeer and the bubbles blowing from his sleigh were gone in a flash.

Many followed him and the parade to a crowded after party at Garden Place.

- © Fairfax NZ News