Bay Christmas parades sure to delight

The festive spirit is set to be felt in the Western Bay as organisers of Christmas parades gear up for their big events.

Four annual parades will be held across the Bay, with the first next weekend.

The Pak'nSave Papamoa Santa Parade, which will make its way down Dickson Rd to Papamoa Plaza, will be held between noon and 3pm on November 26.

Papamoa Unlimited spokeswoman Kate Percy said this year's event was unique as it offered more than just the parade, with a series of other events being held in the Papamoa Plaza area such as the Little Big Markets in the garden bar of the Papamoa Beach Tavern, children's rides and activities and more.

People were encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item or a toy which would be to donated to local charities, she said.

The Tauranga Samba group would lead the parade and just before it gets underway, 50 White Ribbon riders on motorbikes would help to promote the anti-family violence message.

Percy said this year she expected about 50 floats with local businesses, sports, educational and community groups getting involved in the celebrations.

"The Papamoa community really comes together for this exciting fun event," she said.

The Papamoa parade will be followed by parades in Katikati, Te Puke and central Tauranga on December 2.

The annual Lions Club of Katikati Christmas Parade starts at 3pm and meanders along Main St before making its way to Moore Park for the Santa in the Park celebrations.

Lions Club spokesman Dave Eddy said the parade would be followed by a Christmas Variety Concert in Moore Park from 4-6pm, organised by Katch Katikati.

On top of child-friendly activities, there would be games, food stalls and quick-fire raffles, and a parade-themed photo competition for school-aged children, he said.

Eddy said the parade was a fun community event which attracted a huge turnout and offered plenty of surprises, especially when it came to the floats.

Epic Te Puke marketing manager Rebecca Larsen said the Seeka Te Puke Float Parade and
Multicultural Food Festival would be "extra special" this year.

"This year we are celebrating the life and achievements of our local hero Denny Hulme, who 50 years ago won [the] Formula One [championship], and it is also 25 years since Denny's death," Larsen said.

"We have sourced some of Denny's vehicles for the parade. This is a big deal for Te Puke and participants are encouraged to decorate their floats to support this theme."

The food festival starts at 10.30am, the parade from 11am in Jellicoe St, and the event finishes about 2pm, she said.

The Trustpower Christmas Parade starts from 11am on December 2 at Devonport Rd near 2nd Ave and travels along the Strand to Harington St.