Santa Parade

Yesterday was a big day in the Kaiapoi calender - the annual Santa Parade. Shannon and Alex had decided that they wanted to join the school float so off we trecked around the charity shops to kit out Shannon as an angel. Fortunately Alex had brought his shepherds costume from last year in the dressing up box.

The big day dawned, very overcast but dry, so Shannon, Alex and I headed off into town to join the parade. I had volunteered to help out along the route and the wanted us there early for a pre-parde breifing. People on floats are not allowed to throw lollies (sweets) as they are in the UK as there was an accident 3 years ago when a child was run over by one of the floats as she picked them up - needless to say, safety is now the first concern.

I felt quite emotional as we arrived at the the parade start area and saw the float decked out in Christmas trees, tinsel, bows and dozens of balloons - for the first time it really felt like Christmas was coming. The angels and shepherds were loaded onto the back and front of the truck and the schools Kapa Haka group stood in the middle. Kapa Haka is the term used for the Traditional Maori Performing Arts and Kaiapoi Borough School have a very good group who perform (all of whom are children at the school).

The parade set off and I was absolutely amaxed at the number of people who had arrived in our small town to cheer on the floats. It was packed. The parade passed off without a hitch (apart from the small girl on our float who was chucking up into a carrier bag!!).

There were some great floats, the obligatory marching ladies (a very big thing over here - there are multitudes of groups of ladies who march for fun ??!!??!! bizarre or what?) . The lady on the right is our own pink lady, my friend Sally. she don't drink, she don't swear, she don't dye her hair - yeah right!!!!! She has got enrolement papers for us both to join this troupe - we may be 20 years to young though!

...and Santa on his sleigh.

After the parade we met up with Chris, ourfriend Sally and George and Grace (two children of another firiend we were looking after) and checked out what else was on offer. There were stalls and sideshows, a wood chopping exhibition, food, rides and a duck race. We started to browse the stalls until the heavens opened and a nice warm cup of tea at home beckoned. Walking back through the main street, we were amazed that it was completely empty of people and covered (and I do mean covered) in silly string. They must have sold hundreds of cans of the stuff. All in all a good day out.