Christmas Comes To Papakura

Papakura shoppers will be firmly in Christmas mode going into December with Christmas decorations now decorating the town square and preparations well under way for the annual Papakura Christmas weekend.

The decorations include flags, bunting and for the first time in years, the town square has a Santa overlooking Christmas shoppers.

The Post Shop has a special mail box for letters to Santa, and closer to Christmas Santa will put in guest appearances at Selwyn Arcade.

Free family fun at Christmas events
Papakura’s Christmas season begins in earnest with the district’s popular annual Christmas weekend of free family fun events, this year to be held December 4 and 5.

The weekend starts on Friday December 4 with Carols in the Park, a chance for families to gather and sing along to their favourite Christmas carols starting at 6.00 pm in Central Park with performances from many of the district’s schools and dance groups.

This year the evening will also feature a headline performance by acclaimed New Zealand band Nesian Mystic

Acts on stage that evening will include the Papakura City Bass Band, SFC Dance Group, Te Riri o te O drum group and Leand Macadaan – Dougie, the “get the perm” guy from TV.

The following day Santa comes to town with the district’s own Christmas parade, featuring decorated “floats”, street bands, drum groups, marching teams and of course the man himself, Saint Nicholas.

All floats in the parade are entered in one or more categories for judging which will starts at 1.00 pm. The parade starts from Opaheke Road at 2.00 pm and travels down Great South Road, onto Broadway to Railway Street West and back to Central Park. Float judging starts at 1pm

Always a firm favourite with the community of all ages, the parade enables spectators to support the many local groups taking part in the parade and gives children a chance to catch sight of Saint Nick himself.

There are currently 34 floats entered in the parade, with a handful more expected by the time Saturday rolls around.

Then on Saturday evening a free Movie under the Stars screens at Central Park: the Pixar favourite Wall.E, which won the Academy Award for Best Animation in 2008.

It is an opportunity for local people to bring a blanket and enjoy a family picnic or buy food from one of the on-site food outlets, settle in and enjoy some great family entertainment with the movie getting under way around 8.00-8.30 pm – as soon as the evening is dark enough.

In the event of extremely bad weather, the Christmas weekend events will be cancelled.

Friday 4 December
Papakura Carols in the Park
NESIAN MYSTIK IS COMING!!!
Annual Carols in the Park concert, bring the family, enjoy a picnic in the park and be entertained with an evening filled with entertainment and Christmas Carols. Food and refreshments will be available on the night
Where: Central Park, corner of Wood Street and Opaheke Rd, Papakura
When: 6.00pm - 9.00pm
Cost: Free
Contact: Nichola Maher 295 1348

Saturday 5 December
Papakura Santa Parade
SANTA IS COMING!!!
Annual Santa Parade, where the streets are filled with floats and Santa himself puts in his annual appearance.
Where: Papakura Town Centre
When: 2.00pm parade starts
Cost: Free
Contact: Nichola Maher 295 1348

Saturday 5 December
Christmas Movie in the Park
Wall.E IS COMING!!!
Enjoy a festive movie in Central Park with your family and friends. Bring a picnic or enjoy some tasty delights from the local food stalls.
Where: Central Park, corner of Wood Street and Opaheke Rd, Papakura
When: Movie will start 8.30 approx (or when it is dark enough)
Cost: Free
Contact: Nichola Maher 295 1348

ENDS

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