Suzanne Prentice
This year's festive celebrations at Kawerau Christmas in the Park will take place on Saturday, December 12 at Prideaux Park.
The event is free and offers a variety of top-class live entertainment throughout the day; there's something for all the whanau.
The day will start with the New World Kawerau
Santa Parade from 11am, leaving from behind the Ron Hardie Rec Centre for two laps around the township.
It's free to participate and forms are available online, Kawerau District Council and New World Kawerau.
At 1pm The Radio 1XX Community Christmas Concert will take to the stage at Prideaux Park, Plunket Street to demonstrate the finest Eastern Bay of Plenty entertainment.
The council is pleased to announce that Pari Maxwell will be the show director for the 2015 Community Show.
Pari has been directing the community show for the past three years, providing a platform for upcoming artists to showcase their talents.
"I'm excited to direct the 2015 community show, which provides our community with an array of polished acts from primary age right through to adults," Pari said.
"At this year's show you can expect to hear some reggae, a bit of rock and some blues, be moved by our kapa haka group and local choir and wowed by our dancers; plus there'll be loads of prizes."
Local youth Bless Maxwell and Ulani Hoskins will perform in the afternoon show, singing a combination of ballads, and pop-rock Band Hailstones - comprising brothers Levi and Casey McGee and friends Rollie Hale and Kerry Lelierve.
Also featuring is Miss Shelley, who will entertain spectators with her soulful voice and stunning dance moves, and many more talented acts.
X-Factor finalists Brendon Thomas and the Vibes will end the afternoon show.
This year Kawerau welcomes a new Show Director for the Evening Variety Concert.
Chris Powley (The Voice Ltd) has worked in the background over the past several months to provide a stunning debut show in Kawerau.
"The pressure has been on to raise the bar yet again and this year promises something for all age groups and musical tastes," Chris says.
"We have some of New Zealand's and the world's finest artists strutting their stuff, as well as a few surprise acts and a very special headline guest."
Headlining is Suzanne Prentice OBE, a committed supporter of World Vision for more than 20 years and a remarkable professional artist since she was 17.
The Carl Doy Showband will join Suzanne on stage. Her debut performance at Kawerau Christmas in the Park will be one to remember.
Doy will be mastering the show's musical direction and bringing together a seven-piece show band to accompany the evening's performers.
Doy is one of the most successful instrumentalists of recent years in New Zealand and his latest accolade was as the Musical Director for Dancing with the Stars, expect nothing other than amazing.
Additionally Kawerau will host world hip hop champions The Identity Dance Troupe.
This dance sensation was formed out of the Identity Dance Company (IDCO) in Auckland.
Its members have performed together for less than a year; they travelled to the United States earlier this year and stunned the 3500 other dancers by being crowned world champs.
To add to the array of stars is 10-piece outfit Hipstamatics. Comprising brass, vocal and funky vibes, this group will take its audience to a funk-a-licious place.
Chet O'Connell is an exceptional guitarist of the highest calibre, having performed at all major variety shows in New Zealand. He's a first-class crowd pleaser and outstanding musician.
Marian Burns is a fiddling sensation whose electric live performances will take you on a foot-stomping, hand-clapping musical ride and leave you breathless.
Leon Wharekura will bring a blend of rhythm and blues, dance and electronic genres and with whanau links to Dalvanius Prime and the Patea Maori Club; he will produce his own demonstration of sweet-sounding vocals in Kawerau.
Chris Powley will join Chet O'Connell to make up the Chris & Chet Musical Comedy.
Voted the New Zealand Variety Club Comedy Act of the year, this is a hilarious performance involving audience participation and another first in the Eastern Bay of Plenty.
The evening will be hosted by Master of Ceremony Guy Cater, who has extensively travelled the world compering at variety shows and festivals to much acclaim.
Hailing from Tokoroa and seasoned from across the globe, Guy is sure to ensure the evening flows to plan and bring his own comical flavour to the stage.
Kawerau District Council events team leader Lee Barton said the council is fortunate to have Chris Powley as the new Show Director.
"Chris has a wealth of talent as a performer, along with a massive level of contacts in the entertainment industry.
"As we can see already, the 2015 line-up is another huge step up for Kawerau Christmas in the Park and will appeal to all ages and followers of different genres, plus we have our spectacular firework display to round the day off." Lee said.
Kai stalls, children's rides and sideshows will be active throughout the festive day in Kawerau.
Organisers would also like to politely remind people the event has a family focus; drugs, alcohol, weapons, dogs and gang regalia are not permitted. Bag inspections may apply.
Further details can be found at www.kawerauchristmasinthepark.co.nz.