Dannevirke Christmas parade organisers out to shatter record

The Melissa Martin Academy of Dance float in last year's parade.

The spirit of Christmas is alive in Dannevirke with entries already coming in for the Christmas parade on Saturday, December 2.

The Mitre 10 Christmas parade will again feature leisure marching teams, with 14 from around the lower North Island already signed up for the event. A marching display will be held in the Sports Centre following the parade.

"They were such a great success in last year's parade, it's great so many are returning this year," parade organiser Suresh Patel said.

The Ruahine Ramblerz leisure marching team get ready to lead 90 marchers down High St at the head of last year's Dannevirke Christmas parade. Photo / Hawke's Bay Today

"We're looking to take the parade to another level after the record-breaking parade last year and our Chamber of Commerce members are really looking forward to the day."

This year the parade will run through the Farmlands site and back up High St, but there will be no prizegiving until Tuesday, December 5 when an event will be held at the Saigon Restaurant.

"It's such a big job for the judges and holding back on the prizegiving until the Tuesday evening means there will be no hold up in floats coming back up High St on the Saturday," Mr Patel said.

"There is no theme for the parade, it's Christmas after all."

There are five categories; champion float, the best children's entry, best business, the best Christmas-themed float and the most original. There is also a people's choice award.

Parade entries will be taken at the Dannevirke Information Centre up until 3pm, Friday, December 1.