Christmas celebrations kick off in earnest in Bluff this Sunday (7 December) with the town’s annual Santa Parade and the Christmas In The Bluff (CITB) Gala Day launching the festive season.
The Bluff Promotions Santa Parade, supported this year by South Port NZ Ltd, starts at 1.00pm with Mayor Tom Campbell and the Bluff Town Crier leading the way. They’ll be followed by cars, bikes, marching girls, community groups and of course, Santa himself.
The parade will follow its traditional route along Gore Street (SH1) before turning into Palmer Street and finishing at the Oyster Festival site on Barrow Street, where the Christmas In The Bluff Gala Day will be getting underway.
The Gala Day, organised by the Christmas In The Bluff Committee, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. From the outset, the ethos has been about families enjoying a fantastic day out without having to worry about the cost – with loads of smiles, fun and laughter along the way.
The Santa Grotto is always a major highlight for children, but there’s plenty on offer for all ages, including face painting, mini jeeps, a bouncy castle, a chocolate wheel, food and craft stalls, live music and the Your Corps gaming area.
Thanks to the many sponsors, there will be plenty of spot prizes for both adults and children as a special thank you for attending the 10th anniversary event.
A Decorated Christmas Wreath Competition is again part of the day, with the public invited to vote for their favourite by gold coin donation. New this year is a Decorated Christmas Stocking Competition for children up to Form 2.
Admission is free, as is much of the entertainment, making it a truly family-friendly day.
The Gala Day could not happen without strong community support. The committee acknowledges Rio Tinto NZ Aluminium Smelter Ltd, South Port NZ Ltd, Talleys, Four Square Bluff, Bluff Café, Oysterman’s Daughter, Blacks Fasteners, Hayz At The Anchorage, the Bluff Rugby Club, Splash Palace and the Oyster Festival Committee. The committee also thanks local company Port Maintenance for the donation of a large Christmas tree, and Grey Russell of Osborn Engineering for donating the stand for the tree.
Anyone wanting to be part of the Santa Parade, or willing to act as a marshal along the route, can contact parade organiser Alison Patrick on 0273 509 686 or email [email protected]. Parade entries can be taken right up until the start of the event – the more, the merrier.