Revellers enjoy the Property Brokers Christmas at the Park in Napier. Photo / Duncan Brown
Revellers enjoy the Property Brokers Christmas at the Park in Napier. Photo / Duncan Brown
Christmas is still more than two weeks away, but that didn’t stop tens of thousands in Hawke’s Bay getting into the spirit early over the weekend.
On Saturday, over 12,000 people packed the Marist Rugby Park at Napier’s Park Island for this year’s Property Brokers Christmas at the Park.
Revellers enjoy the Property Brokers Christmas at the Park in Napier. Photo / Duncan Brown
Theexcitement level at the event was matched with the warm and calm evening that saw headliners The Narcs and Kim Willoughby take over the stage. In all, there was four and a half hours of entertainment that featured dancers, singers and a band bringing the Christmas spirit throughout the night.
Event manager David Trim said that, at peak times, over 3000 people per hour poured in through the gates.
The Air Training Corps helped kids through their confidence course and mobile climbing wall, Sports Hawke’s Bay created fun for kids in the Free Play area, and 20 face painters were kept busy with a constant stream of children keen to have Christmas-themed artwork on their faces.
The Narcs perform with Kim Willoughby at Property Brokers Christmas at the Park in Napier. Photo / Duncan Brown
However, the showstopper of the evening was the signature fireworks display – a unique pyro show designed especially for the evening set to music with a narrative.
Santa also made a surprise visit on the night.
Property Brokers Hawke’s Bay/Gisborne regional manager Joe Snee said the night was a “real community feel-good event”.
Fireworks at Property Brokers Christmas at the Park in Napier. Composite image - Photos / Duncan Brown
Then, on Sunday, over 30 displays and floats joined pipe bands, marching groups, mascots and another visit from the big man in red at the Harcourts Hawke’s Bay Christmas Parade.
Napier City Council event manager Kevin Murphy said thousands of excited children and their families turned out to see the main attraction in the sleigh.
Santa with some helpers at the Napier Christmas Parade. Photo / Florence Carvin
“It just shows how the public love to support fantastic community events.”
Parade event manager Beth Elstone said despite the incredibly hot day, the community turned out in massive numbers. The parade was followed by a Christmas fiesta in Memorial Square.
“We were so lucky to have so many local groups bring their energy, floats and entertainment to the parade.”
