Community
Last weekend’s Invercargill Santa Parade could’ve been its biggest yet, according to those involved in the annual event.
Organised by the Southland Christmas Parade Charitable Trust, the parade has been running since 1999 on the last Saturday in November, and is enjoyed by thousands every year.
Event manager Alice Pottinger said the energy from the parade was so uplifting and there were plenty of happy faces everywhere, from people both young and old.
She said it was just what many people needed at this time of year, heading into Christmas and the summer holidays.
“It’s about living in your own authenticity and that feeling of freedom, and the Santa Parade is there to trigger that.”
The event started one hour earlier this year and included a gala afternoon, focusing on family entertainment and young stallholders and entertainers.
Alice said this had proved popular and something the committee definitely wants to repeat again next year.
“I just want to thank all of our elves, angels, local businesses, community groups and funders,” she said.
Alice said they had a good strong team of new volunteers this year to complement the existing committee base, and that was nice to have.
One of the highlights of the day was seeing a great number of community groups come back into the parade that hadn’t been involved for a few years, she said.
