If you missed them the first time round here's another chance to see our great pics from Saturday's Santa Parade. Click here for the gallery. --------------------- Rotorua hosted its biggest Christmas Parade to date at the weekend with more than 50 floats taking over central city streets.
Rotorua Christmas Parade Charitable Trustmember and Rotorua retail co-ordinator Cath Weston described the parade as "fantastic".
The city enjoyed great weather, there were loads of people and the standard of parade entries was fantastic.
"It was really, really good," she said.
This year the parade was led by the Grinch, which Mrs Weston said went well and gave the public something a bit different to watch.
She said this year they had widened the spectrum by allowing anybody to enter the parade, not just those on floats so marching teams and bands also joined in.
The crowds were well behaved and everybody seemed to enjoy the event.
The trust had managed to put on a great parade considering they had only formed this year, Mrs Weston said.
"Now we've got 12 months to make it even better."
Trust member and Rotorua district councillor Maggie Bentley walked behind Santa for most of the parade and said she overheard some great comments from the crowds. People said it was the best Christmas parade they had been to.
"Everyone was there for Christmas, it was amazing," she said.
Radio Network's Aaron Gillions said he had also received good feedback about the parade. "I think from the feedback I've gotten so far everyone enjoyed themselves."
This year there were three float categories - education, not-for-profit and business.
Prizes were $500 for first place, $200 for second place and $100 for third place, and the overall winner was awarded the Champion's Shield. ---------------
THE WINNERS OVERALL WINNER: Little Lights Kindy.
EDUCATION: 1st place - Little Lights Kindy.
2nd - Westbrook School.
3rd-equal - Pukeroa Oruawhata Kohanga Reo.
3rd-equal - St Mary's Primary School.
3rd-equal - Rotorua Intermediate.
BUSINESS: 1st place - Skylines pre-historic Christmas.
2nd-equal - Playtopia.
2nd-equal - Rotorua Mitsubishi.
3rd - Cave of Costumes.
NOT FOR PROFIT: 1st place - Wai Water Conservation.
2nd - Rot. Music Theatre.
3rd - Madison Blues Marching Team.
