Hundreds lined the main street of Waipukurau to watch the annual CHB Community Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 3.
Cloudy weather in the morning had given way to "brilliant sunshine" by the afternoon, said parade organiser, Carol-Ann Stubbs, just in time for the crowd to watch the floats make their way down Ruataniwha St to Russell Park.
"In fact, people were rushing for their sunscreen. People lined the streets to wave to loved ones on floats or just to enjoy the excitement, colour and pageantry that the floats bring to town," she said.
Floats entered in the parade were decorated in keeping with this year's theme "Under the Christmas Tree".
Trudy Hales, from CHB Promotions, said it was "amazing to see what people come up with."
"I wanted to hop on to one or two of the floats. The foam cannon was once again a crowd favourite with kids lining the street in eager anticipation," she said.
The parade wound its way to Russell Park where Santa arrived in The Tractor of the Year and spent the afternoon having photographs taken with children in his sleigh.
With its new Splash Pad, Russell Park was the perfect venue to end the parade, said Stubbs.
"The kids had a ball."
2016 CHB Community Christmas Parade float winners.
Schools: 1st: St Joseph's; 2nd: Onga Onga School
Corporate: 1st, The Grey Goose Gallery; 2nd: CHB District Libraries
Community: 1st Epic; 2nd Ruahine Cadets
People's Choice Award - Miss Tutu's Dance Academy
Community Spirit Award - The Scooter Gang (Age Concern).