Members of Sulphur City Steam Rollers (left) Michele Liddicott, Angela 'Panel Beat Her' Vanner and Stephanie 'Hazzard Belle' Kisiel will take part in the parade. Photo/Stephen Parker
Members of Sulphur City Steam Rollers (left) Michele Liddicott, Angela 'Panel Beat Her' Vanner and Stephanie 'Hazzard Belle' Kisiel will take part in the parade. Photo/Stephen Parker
Nothing says Christmas parade like waiting on the side of the road with icecream dripping down your kids' T-shirts while they wait for the chubby guy in red to pelt them with lollies.
It's part of our summer Christmas tradition, but this year, thankfully, the summer heat won't be asintense due to the parade starting at the later time of 4pm.
Organiser Peter Woodward has been working to improve the Rotorua Christmas ritual and this year, the parade circles the CBD from Rangiuru, Arawa, Amohia, Pukuatua and Fenton Streets. He said the only street that would be closed was Rangiuru Street with the remaining streets only cordoned off for a short time.
It will still pay to get into the city early to find a park and pick the best vantage point.
Some people who will have no bother getting their skates on are the Sulphur City Steamrollers who are entering a float into the Christmas parade for the first time.
"We love any excuse to get dressed up and the Santa parade is something different for us. We have some really good builders working on our float - but that will be kept under wraps," said spokeswoman Layla Robinson.
About 30 floats are in the parade which finishes at the Village Green.
The parade will be followed by a prize giving, carol singing and Santa will be in the green for an hour before heading back to the North Pole, said Mr Woodward. The extra activities are all part of his plan to increase the magic of parade day.
