Cows, angels, shepherds, a few glockenspiels, a pipe band and even a jetski or two were just some of the sights to be seen as the annual Christmas Parade, organised by the Stratford Business Association (SBA), rolled through town on Saturday.
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SBA chairman Peter Dalziel says he was impressed by the standard of floats entered this year. "There were some incredibly imaginative floats to be seen. The judges really had their work cut out in choosing the winners."
This year's parade was shifted from the Friday night before the Stratford A&P show to a Saturday afternoon, in a decision that seemed generally popular with businesses and spectators alike.
"It's great to enjoy the parade in the sunshine when the children aren't tired or hungry," said Tina Ebsworthy, who had come from Hawera to watch the parade. "We grabbed some drinks from a cafe to have while we watched the floats and have also called into some of the shops to grab a few things off the Christmas list while we are here."
