Community encouraged to share festive flair in Te Awamutu Christmas Parade

2017 Te Awamutu Christmas Parade

It is exactly one month until the Rotary Gisler Christmas Parade takes place in Te Awamutu — time to enter your float and start planning and building.

The future of the parade was on thin ice as organisers retired this year.

However, Te Awamutu Rotary Club has come to the party and taken over the event.

Te Awamutu Rotary Club float from last year. This year it is organising and running the event. Photo / Dean Taylor

Rotary is continuing the annual tradition of a Christmas float parade with the support of main sponsor Gisler Architects, plus Waipā District Council and Te Awamutu Community Board.

Rotary president Chris Kay says the club is looking forward to continuing the popular event.

As part of their preparation they contacted main street businesses and were pleased the general attitude is supportive of the community event.

He said Rotary plans to work with retailers to try and get them more involved next year.

Chris says the club has also appreciated offers of help from other groups from within the community.

Alexandra St from Arawata/Sloane St to Mutu/Rewi St will be closed on Saturday, December 8 from 7am until 4pm.

Selwyn Lane, Gorst Ave, Churchill St behind the Events Centre and Mahoe St from Arawata St to Selwyn Lane will also be closed at that time and from 11am until 4pm Mahoe St from Churchill St to Arawata St and Arawata St from Mahoe St to Alexandra St will also be closed for the parade and clean-up.

Café owner and Te Awamutu Rod and Custom Club member Murray Peterson will once again be hosting a display of hot rods, classic and custom cars around Central Café during the morning.

The Rotary Gisler Christmas Parade gets under way at noon.

Organisers would like entrants to start assembling at Selwyn Park from 9am.

The public is advised to arrive in plenty of time to park and walk to the main street and be set up for a good view of the event.

The parade will travel both sides of Alexandra St, with excellent viewing from both footpaths.

For safety organisers will be keeping the roadway and median strip clear.

There are three categories for float entries: Commercial/Business; Service Clubs and Societies; Children and Youth.

Gisler Architects is sponsoring prizes in all three categories.

Entries can be made online here.

Alternatively, entrants can use the website's online contacts or phone Chris on 027 294 6562.