“Days like this are one of the great things about living in a small community.” That was one of the comments made as Bluff celebrated the arrival of the Christmas season on Sunday 6th December, with their annual Christmas Parade and Christmas In The Bluff Gala Day.
The Street Parade travelled down Gore Street (SH1) from 1pm with motorcycles, marchers, walkers, cars, hot rods, floats and more with Santa Claus following on to meet the children at the Christmas In The Bluff Gala Day at the Oyster Festival site.
Santa was in demand there as children queued to meet him and have their photo taken at the Santa Grotto, while around the site people mingled, caught up with friends and enjoyed the entertainment and craft stalls while the kids enjoyed the free entertainment and games.
Christmas In The Bluff committee member Debbie Fife said, “this has been our biggest ever crowd since Christmas In The Bluff started many years ago. Everyone was very happy.”
Parade organizer Alison Patrick, said “the parade attracted a lot of positive comment, with some saying it was the best to date. I want to thank the judges who judged the best float and best costume competition, no easy job with such large numbers.” Prizes totalling $500 were given to parade participants with Bluff Real Estate supporting prizes for the three best floats while the Foveaux Hotel sponsored the prizes for Best Costumes.
At the Gala Day a gold coin donation selected the Best Decorated Christmas Tree with Foveaux Hotel winning from Sanford’s and Bluff Plumbing.
Organizers of both the parade and the gala day are grateful to Sanford’s Salmon Fund, Bluff Real Estate, Foveaux Hotel, Talley’s, Bluff Rugby Club, Golden Age Tavern, the Bluff Oyster & Food Festival Committee and St John Bluff.