Santa Parade kicks off the festive season

The Thomas the Tank Engine balloon will be but one of the iconic images to trundle through Queen Street for the Santa Parade. Photo / Greg Bowker

Alexia Santamaria offers a few tips to enjoy the annual Santa parade.

Anyone who has mentioned going to the Farmers Santa Parade to their friends will know that it is received with mixed reaction. For some people the crowds, heat and transport make them avoid the central city extravaganza. For others, like me, it's a reason to get in among the colour and noise and spectacle which is the 78-year-old Auckland tradition.

Last year we learned from the previous year's mistakes and set off with our very well-equipped bag of sunscreen, hats, something to sit on, endless snacks and drinks, small books and toys and our 4-year-old (we left the toddler at home as he has a very limited attention span). We took the train from Ellerslie and got out at Britomart where we walked along Customs St and up Albert St.

Sitting on Albert St does put you towards the end of the parade (it starts from Mayoral Drive and winds down Queen St, along Customs St West and up Albert St) and by the time the performers get to you their smiles do look a bit faded, their batons slightly less twirly and their steps a fraction less bouncy. But this makes absolutely no difference to a 4-year-old. And the main thing is that despite the heat of his red polyester suit, Santa is still waving and smiling like a maniac - bless his ruddy, chubby face.

The advantage to sitting there is that it's far less crowded and you can usually perch on the curb or pretty close to the road at least. The parade did take a while to get to us, but books and toys and chatting kept our little darling amused. I wish I'd had the camera out as he caught a glimpse of the first bit of action. That lit-up little face makes any travelling in crowded trains worth it.

It did give us a sense of nostalgia as we both remembered the anticipation of sitting with our parents in that exciting atmosphere back in the 70s and 80s, clutching the lolly some clown had thrown us in one hand and waving our green or red flag furiously with the other. I'm not sure at what age it gets naff for kids, but our wee boy was enthralled as much by the people in costumes walking alongside the parade as the big floats and inflatables themselves.

He loved the giant Thomas the Tank Engine balloon, the iconic Buzzy Bee, the Chinese Dragon, the huge Woody from Toy Story as well as the colourful mix of cheerleaders, Asian dancers, people on stilts, brass bands, clowns and other festive extras. He was totally taken with the fact that if he waved, the performers would wave back. Ahhh the joy of life through a 4-year-old's eyes. You can't help but feel slightly less Grinch-like about Christmas watching that.

It's a long parade (around 200 items) and our attention did start to wane slightly towards the end, but just in time, the man from the North Pole turned up with his big smile and everything was okay with the world. We made our way back leisurely towards downtown and grabbed some sushi for the boy and treats for Mum and Dad from The Barrow and waited for the crowds to die down before boarding the train home.

If you prepare well and embrace the madness, the Farmers Santa Parade is a wonderful family day out and a great start to the festive season.

Robert Laidlaw, the founder of Farmers Trading Company wished it to be a gift of festivity and fantasy for the children of Auckland City. And we think it is.

Farmers Santa Parade

Date: Sunday (rain date Sunday December 4).

Time: 2pm (but get there earlier). There is also a party in Aotea Square afterwards from 3.15pm with entertainment, rides, stalls, celebrities and giveaways.

Getting there: Free parking is available at the Downtown, Victoria St and K Rd carparks but only if you are parked by 12pm. Check www.maxx.co.nz for public transport options. All inner city roads will be closed between 12pm and 4pm.

Wheelchairs: An area is available in front of the Scenic Hotel at 380 Queen St for wheelchairs. Phone (09) 377 6192 to get a pass.

Extra Tips:

* Bring something to sit on, sun protection, plenty of water and snacks.

* There were 300,000 people there last year so make sure you have a meeting point if anyone gets lost. There is a lost children area in Owen's Foyer, Aotea Centre.

* Bring a gold coin for charity - the Leukaemia and Blood Foundation will be collecting prior to the parade.