Santa emerges from fireplace at Christmas extravaganza

Sarah van Der Kley and Martin Good, co-hosts on the Hits' breakfast show, with Santa at Cox Partners Christmas at the Park. PHOTO / DUNCAN BROWN

Thousands of people turned out to enjoy the music, fireworks and festivities at Napier's Anderson Park for Cox Partners Christmas at the Park, on Saturday.

Despite the rain, organisers say about 10,000 people attended the show, with headline act Jackie Thomas entertaining the audience. She performed an array of songs, including Christmas carols and a duet with X Factor third-place finalist Tom Bachelor, who was a surprise guest. Other performers included local band Pulse and Havelock North High School band Super Cone Destroyer.

The concert presented 4.5 hours of entertainment for a cheerful crowd. The night's performances were made complete with Christmas carols performed by a band and select dancers.

The MCs for the night were Sarah van Der Kley and Martin Good, co-hosts on radio breakfast show Breakfast with Martin and Sarah on The Hits and they helped keep the large crowd entertained.

David Trim, event organiser and manager of the Kaisen Charitable Trust, said the show was a success.

"The atmosphere here is truly amazing, so many people really having a great time from kids to adults alike. It's a great way for people of all walks of life to gather together and celebrate Christmas as a community," Mr Trim said.

Due to the unpleasant weather, a planned flyover by a Tiger Moth aeroplane had to be cancelled at the last minute. The flyover was to coincide with a special segment of the show to commemorate the centenary of World War I.

"We were still able to play a special video clip of Christmas in the trenches at war and talk about the soldiers that went to war from Hawke's Bay," Mr Trim said.

A special pyrotechnics display captured the imagination of all, accompanied by an audio narration of the Christmas story, and lasting 10 minutes.

Santa chose a surprise way to arrive at Anderson Park, firstly popping his head out of the top of a smoking chimney onstage, then emerging from out of the fireplace.

Meanwhile, Christmas in Cornwall Park, which was due to have been held in Hastings yesterday, was cancelled because of the rain. The show's carol singing was likely to instead be held at the Hastings City Night Market on Thursday.