Marton's Xmas grotto miracle

Jenny Greener making last minute touches to Grannies Xmas Grotto which opened in Marton today. Wanganui Chronicle Photograph by Stuart Munro.

Grannies Christmas Grotto opened in Marton on Friday for its 25th successive year, but only just.

Run by self-confessed "Christmas crazy" resident Jenny Greener the grotto is a wonderland of Christmas themed delights and attracted over 2000 people in the 23 days it was open last year.

Difficulty finding vacant premises put this year's event in jeopardy and Mrs Greener was resigned to it not happening.

Five weeks ago the Rangitikei District Council came to the rescue with a building and the race was on to get everything ready.

"It usually takes us about eight weeks to prepare and we had five. We are still not completely finished but just about," Mrs Greener said.

The Herculean effort was aided by several local volunteers and two friends who came for two days from Taranaki and Matamata.

Mrs Greener said the grotto featured 11 displays, each themed in one way or another.
New for this year was a "funky" tree based on the Grinch that Stole Christmas, by Dr Suess.

The Frozen room would appeal to "little princesses" while the Tui tree would appeal to the guys, she said.

Other attractions include a woodland display, a red room, a childrens area, a gingerbread room, a white and crystal room and a common room where children can put decorations on trees.

The grotto is at 304 Broadway and is open Monday to Thursday evenings from 7.30pm to 9.30pm and Friday to Sunday between 1pm and 4.30pm.

"In the final week last year we had people queuing up for over an hour."

Entry is $3 for adults and $2 for children under 14.

Mrs Greener said she wanted to thank local businesses and people for helping out with the costs and running the grotto with small donations.