Te Puke's Christmas Float Parade attracts hundreds

It was looking a lot like Christmas in Te Puke this morning as Santa waved at the crowds. Photo/ Stuart Whitaker

With Denny Hulme taking centre stage, Santa wasn't quite the star he normally is at Te Puke Christmas Float Parade.

Hundreds flocked to Te Puke's town centre for the annual Christmas Float Parade this morning.

One of the town's favourite sons, Formula 1 motor racing champion Denny Hulme was celebrated in the parade theme 50 years after his title-winning season.

Three cars formerly owned by the champion featured in the parade as did stock cars, classic and vintage cars.

Hulme's sister Anita sat in the driver's seat of the Mini her brother owned and they both used when they lived in London, while Hulme's M23 McLaren, on loan from Sir Colin Giltrap, and a MGTF lent by Denny's widow Greeta, also featured.

But it was the efforts that went into decorating the floats that made this parade special with no end of imaginative and creative ways of celebrating Hulme's life and successes that were the highlights of the parade that made two circuits of the town centre.

The supreme winner of the float competition was Otamarakau School which also won the education category, with Te Puke Scouts winning the community organisation category and Learning Adventures winning the business and commercial category.

Western Bay of Plenty Mayor Garry Webber said the parade was a great community event.

"This is what makes a community," he said, "the kinds of events that make people want to come out and be part of the community.''