Santa and Stratford District mayor Neil Volzke took a sleigh ride along Broadway during the 2024 Stratford Business Association Christmas Parade. Photo / Ilona Hanne
Santa and Stratford District mayor Neil Volzke took a sleigh ride along Broadway during the 2024 Stratford Business Association Christmas Parade. Photo / Ilona Hanne
There was plenty of Christmas cheer in Stratford on Friday evening, when the Stratford Business Association Christmas parade rolled along Broadway.
Stratford District Mayor Neil Volzke said the parade was “a huge success”.
“I had the best seat in the house, sitting in the sleigh next to Santa, and it was great to see the large crowd of people who had come out to enjoy the parade. We saw lots of smiling faces on children and parents alike.”
Image 1 of 152: The 2024 Stratford Business Association Christmas Parade. Photo / Ilona Hanne
Events like the parade could only happen thanks to the people behind the scenes, he said.
“A special thanks is due to the Stratford Business Association and the volunteers who made this parade possible.”
The Stratford Singers kept the crowd entertained with a range of Christmas carols after the 2024 Stratford Business Association Christmas Parade. Photo / Ilona Hanne
With a pop-up market in Prospero Place before the parade began, and Christmas carols performed by the Stratford Singers afterwards, there was plenty to keep everyone entertained.
Most importantly for the younger members of the crowd, not only did Santa join the mayor in the sleigh to travel along the street during the parade, but he also spent time in Prospero Place afterwards, posing for photos in front of the town’s Christmas tree with tamariki and adults alike.
Ella Demchy, 6, and her step dad Shane Demchy, enjoyed watching the parade before meeting Santa. Photo / Ilona Hanne
Matt Dimock, Stratford Business Association (SBA) chairman, said committee members were pleased with the success of Friday evening’s event.
“We were absolutely delighted with the turn out for the Annual Stratford Christmas Parade. The quality of entrants was fantastic, and the weather was the icing on the cake. It was wonderful to see so many families enjoying the parade, and the entertainment that followed in Prospero Place, including an opportunity for Santa to meet some lovely children”
“The SBA would like to sincerely thank all those who worked so hard to make this event a success, including those who volunteered on the day so everything ran smoothly, and everyone enjoyed a safe family event.”
Ilona Hanne is a Taranaki-based journalist and news director who covers breaking and community news from across the lower North Island. She has worked for NZME since 2011.
