19 November 2004

Vintage Waiheke magic stars in new Christmas Festival

Santa Claus, marching bands, and even a vintage fire engine are appearing at the first ever Waiheke Christmas Festival, 10–12 December. Auckland City is inviting families to join in the festivities and make the most of the bumper weekend of community events.

The action-packed weekend kicks off with a Christmas pantomime of The Oneroa Town Musicians on Friday and Saturday night at the Waiheke Community Theatre.

On Saturday morning from 9am-noon the Ostend markets will be getting people into the festive spirit with a special Christmas theme.

Saturday afternoon sees Santa and Mary Claus making a special visit to Oneroa village for the Waiheke Santa Parade.

Even though Santa and Mary’s sleigh is getting a service for their big night on Christmas Eve, they’re still making a grand entrance – in a vintage fire engine driven by local fire chief, Ron Leonard and his wife Laurie, dressed in vintage fire brigade uniforms and helmets.

The parade floats are set to take Waiheke by storm – there are a mixture of old favourites and some new entries which locals have been working on for months. But Auckland City event organiser, Linda Deverell, says there’s still room for floats.

“It’s a great chance for the whole community to get into the festive spirit! Get a team together, get creating and get involved. Entry is free and there are great prizes to be won,” she says.

On Sunday, families can head down to Carols by Candlelight at St Peter’s Catholic Church and Little Oneroa Beach Reserve, which will have the whole community singing their favourite festive songs.

Ms Deverell says that this is the first time Christmas events like the Santa Parade and Carols by Candlelight have been combined into one event and is looking forward to the community being able to celebrate Christmas “Waiheke style”.

ENDS

© Scoop Media