Singer Annie Crummer announced for Kawerau Christmas in the Park

Annie Crummer will perform at this year's Kawerau Christmas in the Park. Photo/file

Fireworks and a special guest appearance by well-known singer Annie Crummer will make this year's Kawerau Christmas in the Park an unforgettable event.

The award-winning Kiwi icon is a successful singer songwriter who has performed with bands such as Netherworld Dancing Toys, When the Cat's Away and Herbs.

She has also sung with Australian singers John Farnham and Jimmy Barnes and won the Senior Pacific Artist Award at the Creative New Zealand Arts Pasifika Awards in 2011.

She was also appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to music in this year's Queen's Birthday Honours.

"We're really excited to have Annie at this event," Kawerau District Council events and venues manager Lee Barton said.

"She has a fantastic stage presence and her music appeals to a wide audience, so we're confident everyone will enjoy her performance."

The fireworks display will also be a highlight. The New Zealand Fire Service approved the display on the proviso the current fire risk in the Kawerau district doesn't become extreme this week.

Barton said the fireworks finale had been a highlight of Christmas in the Park in previous years.

"Having it on the schedule this year means we can round off the Christmas celebration in style."

Kawerau Christmas in the Park is on Saturday, December 16. It starts at 11am with the Kawerau Santa parade, starting at the Ron Hardie Recreation Centre.

A prizegiving will be held on stage at Prideaux Park at 12.15pm.

The Community Christmas Concert follows the parade at 12.30pm, with the evening variety show running from 7.15pm to 10pm, concluding with the fireworks.

Herbs, Hipstamatics, Eddie Low, Taisha and local acts Made Alive, Feenix Band, Tait Kora, and Dunamis join Annie Crummer in the musical line-up.

Mahons Amusements will also be there, with plenty of thrilling rides.

Kawerau's Christmas in the Park is the Eastern Bay of Plenty's showcase festive entertainment event and organisers encourage locals and visitors to come along.

The event is family-friendly, drugs, alcohol and gang regalia are not permitted. Prideaux Park is a smokefree venue.

For full details visit www.kawerauchristmasinthepark.co.nz.