News
Christmas will officially arrive in Bluff on Sunday 11 December when the annual Bluff Santa Parade and Christmas In The Bluff Gala Day take place.
The activities commence with the Santa Parade, organised by Bluff Promotions. The parade will start at the top end of Gore Street (SH1) at 1pm, making its way to the Oyster Festival site where the Gala Day awaits.
Entries are still coming in for the parade but there will be a variety of floats, hot rods, marchers, the Southern Society of SteamPunk Steamologists, Steve-O The Stag, the Bluff Coastguard and not unexpectedly Santa Claus as he makes his way to the Oyster Festival site to meet and greet the children. There will be some great prizes for the best floats and costumes.
Once the parade arrives at the Oyster Festival site a wonderful day of family entertainment, organised by the Christmas In The Bluff Committee, will provide something for everyone.
The children will have plenty to occupy themselves with as they visit the star attraction, Santa Claus, as he meets the kids in the Santa Grotto for photos.
There is plenty more with activities and games including mini jeeps, a bouncy castle, astroball, sumo wrestling and facepainting plus plenty of games as well. Many of the games are new for this year and have been designed with plenty of input from a youth perspective.
There will be some free food offerings for the kids while there will other foods on sale including the local hot dog vendor and local coffee cart.
The ever-popular Darcy Kerr will entertain on stage with live music while craft stalls will be on site to provide more opportunities to purchase those Christmas presents. Some stalls have eftpos but it is advised to bring cash.
A chocolate wheel and a Decorated Christmas Wreath Competition, with an opportunity to vote for your favourite by gold coin donation, are also part of the fun.
Admission is free as is much of the entertainment making it a truly family friendly day.
Last year Covid restrictions curtailed the parade and saw the cancellation of the Gala Day but this year both events will be back in full force.
Parade co-ordinator Alison Patrick says, “it is exciting after last year was hampered by restrictions that people are really looking forward to it and lots of people are contacting us to see if it is on,” while Debbie Fife of Christmas In The Bluff says, “after not holding our Gala Day in 2021 we are coming back bigger and better this year.”
Organisers of both the parade and the gala day are grateful to Sanford’s Salmon Fund, South Port NZ Ltd, Golden Age Tavern, Hayz at the Anchorage, Jump n Fun Trampoline World, Splash Palace, BadassRebel Creations, the Bluff Rugby Club and Rugby Southland for their support of the activities.
Anyone wishing to be a part of the parade can contact the co-ordinator, Alison Patrick on 0273 509 686 or at [email protected]
Inquiries regarding the Gala Day or anyone that would like to be a part of the Gala Day can contact Debbie Fife on 03 212 6800 or [email protected] while craft stall inquiries can be made to Gaye at 0274 630 708.