Tauranga to host Mount Santa Parade

Downtown Tauranga will host the Trustpower Christmas Parade this year, moving the parade from Mount Mainstreet to the city, with organisers hoping the decision will provide a boost for the city centre.

"We were delighted when Trustpower, Mount Mainstreet and Tauranga City Council all agreed that the annual Trustpower parade could be shifted to Downtown Tauranga," said Downtown Tauranga Mainstreet coordinator Karena Mattson .

"It's timely, given Trustpower's future move into the CBD, but also it's another great event to add to the vibrancy and offerings in Downtown Tauranga."

Trustpower Community Relations Manager, Graeme Purches said the iconic event was a good fit for the city centre.

"Trustpower has been the major sponsor of the Christmas Festival and Santa Parade at the Mount for over five years and we have had a good run, but we are now really excited about the opportunity to move this event into Downtown Tauranga. Having started building the new Trustpower head office in Durham Street, we see it as a great opportunity to support an event in the city."

This year's parade will take place on Saturday, 29 November, from 11am and will follow a route down Devonport Road, along The Strand and up Harington St.

"We have spent considerable time planning the most logistically practical route for the Christmas Parade so that children and families can get a great view and the Downtown Tauranga businesses can make the most of it. This new route will also allow for larger floats to take part in the parade."

"It's a great community event and one that allows us to truly capture the spirit of Christmas and bring some cheer to the faces of those who come along to enjoy it," said Ms Mattson. "We'll have some of the favourite floats from previous years, along with many fantastic new ones, and are expecting an increase in the amount of floats taking part."

Tauranga Mainstreet is now calling for businesses and community organisations to register their interest in entering a float in the parade. For more information on the parade and the float entry form please visit www.downtowntauranga.co.nz.