Whanganui family's link with Christmas Parade Santa float ends

A Whanganui family's long association with the Christmas Parade Santa float has come to an end.

Mainstreet Whanganui is keeping schtum about why a family with a long-standing involvement in the annual Christmas Parade has not been invited to take part this year.

Edward Minnell said several generations of his family had been involved with the Santa float over many years and he did not know why they had received the cold shoulder this year.

"My father Ritchie Minnell has been Santa for more than 15 years and the little girl that used to ride beside Santa is my niece who is now in her 20s," Mr Minnell said.

"That role was handed over to my daughter Sophia who has done it for a few years. The woman on the sleigh with Santa is my sister and I've been driving Santa's sleigh for the last two or three years.

"My grandfather on my mother's side of the family made the reindeer for the sleigh in the 1960s when he worked at Londontown. They were lost for a few years then discovered when Farmers took over Londontown and my father and sister restored them."

However, the Minnell family will not be part of this year's Christmas Parade.

"We don't have answers from Mainstreet about why we aren't involved this year," Mr Minnell said.

"I only found out about it via a text from my sister. All I can say is we're no longer in the parade and it's not by our choice. My daughter Sophia, who is 10, is pretty upset about it."

Mr Minnell said he had received several comments on his Facebook page from people who were disappointed the family would not be part of the parade and, as a result, would not attend.

Mainstreet Whanganui's event manager, Kelly Scarrow, said the traditional Santa sleigh would feature in the parade on December 2. She would not comment on why the Minnell family was not invited to take part.

"I'm disappointed that Edward hasn't approached us himself," Mrs Scarrow said.

"What I can say is that we believe the parade will be a true reflection of a Kiwi Christmas. There will be a Santa sleigh as per usual, with another Santa.

"The Christmas Parade will be bigger than ever, with 35 floats registered, and we're really excited to be hosting this event. There will be an after-party at Majestic Square with entertainment, food carts, a lolly scramble and selfies with Santa."

Ritchie Minnell, who is a contractor for Mainstreet Whanganui, did not want to comment. Edward Minnell said he had not discussed the matter with his father.