Wanganui: It rained on our parade but we didn’t care

It rained on our parade but we didn’t care

It may have rained on the Christmas Parade this year but organisers Mainstreet Wanganui say it did nothing to dampen the spirit of participants or the crowd who gathered for what proved to be a fantastic spectacle despite the weather. “It was always going to be unpredictable,” says Mainstreet Marketing Manager Elise Goodge “we knew it was likely to rain but the temperature was warm and the rain was light so we went ahead anyway” This year 33 floats entered the
parade with themes ranging from Alice in Wonderland and Dr Seuss to Swan Lake and Pasifika.

This year Mainstreet also upped the stakes for float entrants by increasing the prize money for the annual float awards from $100 for a winning float to $200 plus an additional $500 for the overall best float. Floats were judged according to construction, theme, costumes and audience participation.

This year’s float winners are:
Best Vehicle Float – Shirley McDouall School of Dance for their Swan Lake inspired float.
Best Walking Float – Wanganui District Council Youth Services for their Dr Seuss inspired float.
Best Costumes – Wanganui Amdram for their Alice in Wonderland inspired float.
Best Overall – Wanganui Amdram.

Judges were impressed by Wanganui District Council Youth Services unique crowd interaction which included Dr Seuss inspired characters taking selfies with crowd members and interacting with individuals as they walked down the street. They also said that Wanganui Amdram got a great reaction from the crowd and all members of the float were enthusiastic and engaging. Shirley McDouall School of Dance took out the top prize last year for their Swan Lake inspired float and though they entered the same float this year it was still the best constructed and most imaginative vehicle float.

Christmas Parade
When: Saturday 22 November 2014 – 2pm
Where: Victoria Avenue

ENDS

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