Fun, festivities and food will be rolled out for the Wairoa Christmas market and parade on Saturday, December 14.

Already, nearly 50 registrations have been received from local businesses, organisations and schools participating in the Kiwiana-themed float parade, which will make its way along the Marine Parade from 12 noon, with a special visit from Santa himself.

Those entering the parade are asked to start assembling at the Ski Club from 11am. State Highway 2 at the roundabout will close briefly to allow the parade to go down Marine Parade and back again.

The Christmas market, centred around the Wairoa Library green, will run from 9am to noon and celebrate Wairoa’s local culture with face painting, kai and handcrafted gifts. A range of food tastes will be catered for, from paua dumplings and South African and Polynesian cuisine to chocolate strawberries, candyfloss, snow cones and cakes.

Grab your last-minute Christmas gifts from the gift stalls, featuring jewellery, diving equipment, candles, soaps, gift packs and collectibles.

Entertainment is high on the list, with various artists set to perform on the Wairoa Library green, from circus performers to drummers, music and dance.

The Heidi and Sean show will see the talented duo perform circus stunts, comedy, and juggling in a belly laughing show. Bay Batucada! will feature a Brazilian 30-piece samba drumming band that showcases a range of Brazilian music, from the laid-back reggae style music of northern Brazil to the fast-paced tempo of the Carnaval. Plus, the A and P Show Society will be organising games and activities for the kids (big kids included), from gumboot throwing to giant bubbles - with something for everyone to enjoy.

A reminder, an area of Marine Parade will be closed to traffic from 7am from the corner of Locke Street (at the intersection where the BNZ Bank ATMs are located) to the corner of Delhi Street (at the intersection next to Riverview Dairy). This will be the designated market area for stall holders to set up in. The road will reopen at 1.30pm after the parade. This closure means foot traffic only in the market precinct. Marine Parade between the roundabout and Locke Street will remain open to traffic until the parade starts.

If you would like more information or to register a stall or a float in this year's parade, please go to www.wairoadc.govt.nz/a-kiwiana-christmas

Wairoa businesses are also invited to get into the festive spirit by decorating their shop windows. The festive competition closes at 5pm on Wednesday, 11 December. To enter your business, head to www.wairoadc.govt.nz/a-kiwiana-christmas/christmas-window-display-competition

26 November 2024

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