PRESS RELEASE:
10th December 2009

Flaxmere gets an injection of Christmas Spirit

For the first time ever Flaxmere is going to celebrate Christmas with music, lights and displays at the inaugural “Twelve Days of Christmas” programme 13th - 24th December 2009.

Hosted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, this music programme is an opportunity to share the spirit of Christmas with the Flaxmere community as the world celebrates the birth of the Saviour Jesus Christ.

“It’s exciting to think we can celebrate as a community. A few years ago we ran the Flaxmere Christmas in the Park events but we haven’t held anything since 2005. It’s a great time of the year to bring the community together… It’s way overdue” says Traci Tuimaseve who is the coordinator of this year’s event.

The organisers have brought together the best of musical talent from the community to perform at each of the 12 nightly concerts. Groups include the Flaxmere LDS Church Choir, Pukapuka Cook Island Church Choir, EFKS Church Choir, Youth talent night, the Hastings LDS Stake Choir, family talent night, and a special appearance by the Hastings Citizen’s Band.

The programme begins at 8.00pm each night with a musical performance, community carolling and a Christmas message before the countdown to turn on the 9000 bulb light displays. Families can also view the indoor Christmas displays as they tour the Flaxmere chapel.

All the displays have been assembled by local LDS church members with many of the lights being donated by families to help support this inaugural event.

“We’re expecting 200-300 people to attend each programme with 4000 attending over the 12 nights. We hope this event grows each year as we endeavour to involve more and more churches and groups” says Traci.

PANUI KI TE IWI
Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated

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