Plains towns on parade

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Santa at the Waihi Christmas parade 2023. Photo: ALICE PARMINTER

Plains towns on parade

The festive season kicked off with a bang in Hauraki, with Santa making an appearance in two Christmas parades – Paeroa on December 1 and Waihī on December 2. Businesses, schools and community groups put on their festive best and paraded through the towns, to the delight of hundreds of onlookers.

Paeroa’s parade on Friday afternoon culminated in a family fun event at the domain, with entertainment, food, and of course the jolly man himself. Santa also made an appearance on Seddon St in Waihī the following day, completing several circuits of the main street to the delight of the children lining the streets. ALICE PARMINTER captured the festivities. 

The Tongan community’s Paeroa float was a riot of colour and music. Photo: ALICE PARMINTER
The “Nightmeares before Christmas”. Photo: ALICE PARMINTER
Several Waihī elves sneak a peek at the parade before resuming their candy-distributing duties. Photo: ALICE PARMINTER
The float themes were varied, ranging from Santa and elf themes, to traditional Christian messaging. Photo: ALICE PARMINTER
The Waihī Fire Brigade had some little helpers for the parade. Photo: ALICE PARMINTER
Tirohia School march down Normanby Rd in Paeroa. Photo: ALICE PARMINTER
Schoolkids jumped at the chance to participate in the parades, despite the rain. Photo: ALICE PARMINTER
Waihī Playcentre tamariki toddle down Seddon St. Photo: ALICE PARMINTER
Waihī Baptist Church embraces the reason for the season. Photo: ALICE PARMINTER
Paeroa Christian School embraces a Winter Wonderland theme. Photo: ALICE PARMINTER

See facebook.com/thevalleyprofile/ for more parade pictures.