Media release
For Immediate Release
Monday 15 December

Parade cancelled, but City will still sing

The Hamilton Christmas Parade may have been cancelled on Sunday (14 December), but the Trust behind the event is urging the city not to lose its festive cheer.

The Hamilton Christmas Charitable Trust was forced to cancel the Hamilton Christmas Parade yesterday due to a dousing of just under 29mm of rain in 24 hours in the Hamilton area.

But rather than dwelling on the disappointment, the Trust is turning the city’s attention to the last of the three events it runs: The First Credit Union Carols by Candlelight scheduled for this weekend.

“We are absolutely gutted about having to cancel the Parade. But we’re striving to move forward and focus our attention on what we know will be a fantastic event this coming weekend,” Trust chairperson Simon Scott said.

The family-favourite Carols by Candlelight is returning to Hamilton this year after a seven year break.
It will take place on Saturday 20 December 2014 from 6pm to 9pm on the bank of Hamilton’s Lake Rotoroa beneath the water tower.
Mr Scott said when Carols by Candlelight was previously run in Hamilton, it used to attract in-excess of 12,000 people; mostly families with young children.

“It is still our prerogative to bring the best possible Christmas to the people of Hamilton. We encourage everyone to come along to this traditional carols event to gather, sing, and celebrate the festive season,” he said.

According to Mr Scott, the Trust’s difficult Parade-cancellation decision was made on the weekend in the interest of Health and Safety.

“We consulted a number of weather sites, as well as a weather expert from the Hamilton airport for a detailed forecast. All indicated the terrible weather to be unremitting. So, in the interest of health and safety, we collectively made the call,” he said.

Mr Scott said the weekend’s wet and gusty weather would not only have affected Parade participants, but the public too.

“Character costumes cannot be out in the rain and nor can electrics on a number of the floats. Also, floats are generally made only days prior to the event and are not made to be out in wet weather.

“Most importantly, we weren’t willing to risk Parade participants or members of the public slipping or injuring themselves,” he said.

However, Mr Scott said the Trust is pleased with the positive comments received about the cancellation decision.

“This parade takes thousands of hours to organise and is started in February each year; so, naturally, the trust and workers are disappointed.

“Fortunately we have had good feedback from the public about our decision, and already the commitments to participate next year are coming through,” he said.

Mr Scott said a postponement was not possible due to budget restrictions.

“Unfortunately we just do not have the funds to close the roads, pay for all the people to do the traffic, and cover all the other costs that come with a postponement date.

“Nor can many families to commit to keeping two weekends free this close to Christmas; time is already at a premium.”

Although fine weather is also needed to run the First Credit Union Carols by Candlelight, Mr Scott said the Trust has set aside the following day as a back-up.

“If the weather is bad, the event will take place at the same time, same place, on Sunday 21 December,” he said.

“So let’s all hope for summer to arrive in the city!”

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