Southland Santa Parade Takes New Route

• Southland Santa Parade alters its route to avoid roadworks in this year’s circuit.
• Longstanding manager transitions to trustee as new committee members join the team.
• Parade features floats, entertainment, and food, attracting up to 20,000 attendees yearly.

The Southland Santa parade has a new committee and will be taking a new direction this year literally, to avoid roadworks on its 3km circuit.
Related: Watch: Thousands Turnout For 2024 Santa Parade

Southland Santa Parade event manager Alice Pottinger has stepped back to now become a trustee and has new helpers involved - Alice Lee and Paul Searancke.

Ross Wensley and Patrice Spencer-Humn who have been involved over the past few years will also remain on the committee.

But Alice said she won’t be going anywhere soon, admitting she’d inherited a “monster” that was difficult to walk away from. 

“We all work so well together… and it’s just crazy but fun,” she said.

The event has been going strong for 25 years and has built up a strong number of floats that have been added to each year. 

Over the past few years the Gala day at the reserve has added to the entertainment, with the chance for children to be able to explore the floats - some even with interactive features.

With the new ‘transitional’ team coming onboard, Alice said she was hoping they will step up and bring some new ideas of their own.

“We are very fortunate that we have a good business community that supports us and all the funders as well.”

This year’s Santa Parade will start on the corner of Kelvin and Gala streets and continue onto Yarrow and back to Dee before heading down to the Tay Street roundabout and back to the Gala Street reserve.

It will be led by town crier Lynley McKerrow and keep an eye out for all the Southland Mayors as well - dressed up in their choice of costume for the day.

Live entertainment and food trucks will be available in the park on November 30, and overall the event attracts up to 20,000 people every year.