Tuesday 4 November 2014
Media release – for immediate use

Christmas Parade Heralds Start of Festive Season

Christmas is already on the doorstep and there is no better way to announce the arrival of the festive season than with a parade. This year the Wanganui Christmas Parade will take place on Saturday the 22nd of November at 2pm and organisers Mainstreet Wanganui hope it will be a corker with many fantastic community floats already entered including the New Zealand Army! To acknowledge the hard work that has gone into floats over the past couple of years Mainstreet have also upped the prize money for winning float entries with each category winner receiving $200 each and the overall winner receiving a further $500. The categories remain the same with awards for best walking float, best vehicle float and best costumes.

Another change to the programme this year is a change of location for the free family concert that takes place after the parade. This year it will be held at Majestic Square instead of in Pakaitore/Moutoa Gardens. “We decided to move the concert into the middle of the action to encourage the crowds to stick around and take part in the music and lolly scramble,” says Mainstreet Wanganui Marketing Manager Elise Goodge.

Mainstreet Wanganui has once again been working with the Ulysses Club who will time their annual Toy Run to coincide with the parade. They will finish the Toy Run at Majestic Square at 2.15pm where people will be able to make donations of toys for children and help local families this Christmas. All donated toys will be given to the Salvation Army who will pass them on to those most in need of assistance. They have asked that people donate new toys rather than second hand and please no soft toys as they already have plenty.

There is still time to enter a float with float entries closing on Friday 14 November. Float entry forms are available on the Mainstreet website, mainstreetwanganui.co.nz or from their office at 36 Ridgway Street.

Christmas Parade
When: Saturday 22 November 2014 – 2pm
Where: Victoria Avenue
Free Family Concert
When: 2.30pm
Where: Majestic Square

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