Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Horowhenua Chronicle
Levin Christmas Parade
7
By
TANYA WOOD tanya.wood@chronicle.co.nz The show must go on and a little rain wasn’t about to put off the Levin crowds determined to enjoy this year’s parade. Far from sheltering under shop verandas, much of the estimated 1000-strong crowd was out on the main highway to get a good view of the floats, vintage cars, tractors, fire engines and community groups who made up for the gloomy weather with plenty of colour and festive spirit. However, it was Santa Claus on his reindeer sleigh, complete with brolly to keep the rain off his beard, that all the children had come to see and they let him know it, with plenty of cheering and waving. The parade of more than 65 vehicles and more than 18 street groups, started promptly at 1pm, leaving Durham Street and within 25 minutes had made its way along Oxford Street down to the Stanley Street corner. The route was kept 700 metres shorter than last year to keep the parade from spreading out. For the first year the parade was not led by a brass band, due to the wet weather. Parade organiser spokesperson, Cathryn Pollock, Horowhenua District Council community projects officer, said it was disappointing and, instead, they put the loudest float behind the police car. “The call was made by the band at the very last minute, they were all ready and waiting but couldn’t risk their instruments in the rain.” Ms Pollock said it was a tough decision to go ahead with the parade. The call had to be made at 8.30am for communications to go out, and by 10.30am floats were arriving to set up. “By the time it started spitting, all but a couple of floats and groups had turned up and I couldn’t turn back.” She said all the participants were in good spirits and ready to go. “We weren’t going to let a little rain dampen the occasion. It was great to see Oxford Street pretty well packed and the proof of the pudding was in seeing the kids’ faces and the cheers when they saw Santa. It was all worth it.” The Christmas Market Day held at Te Takere added extra festive fare with stalls and children’s entertainment throughout the day.
PRETTY in pink, two young ladies add a bit of style to the proceedings.
SANTA and his helpers wave to the crowd.
BROLLIES become a necessary part of the Bounce Out of School Care float decorations. Best floats for 2014 judged on the day were SWAZI, Kate Martin School of Dance and Medieval Market. Horowhenua District Council would like to thank the following for their contribution to the Levin Christmas Parade: Santa, all parade participants, Levin Rural Fire, Fulton Hogan, Downer UFB, Downer, Tatana Contracting Ltd, Levin New World, Horowhenua Chronicle, Property Brokers Levin, BNZ Levin, More FM Levin, Horowhenua District Council Staff. ■ More parade photos page 17
THE Ukuladies sing up a storm at the Christmas Market outside Te Takere.
THE Tongan Youth float brings a touch of Pasifika to the parade.
PLENTY of clucking going on in the Bennicks Poultry Farm float.