Santa Claus is saddling up his reindeer and will soon take flight toward South Auckland.
His helpers are encouraging people to enter a float into this year’s Papatoetoe Santa Parade on December 14.
The people behind the event say it will feature close to 50 floats representing local sports clubs, charities and community groups.
It will be “culturally rich and inclusive” and is supported by the Otara-Papatoetoe Local Board.
Organiser Rana Judge says the parade is being overseen for the first time by the Papatoetoe Central Main Street Society.
It’s free to enter a float into the parade, which is open to people, businesses and organisations outside the suburb, Judge says.
He expects an audience of up to 30,000 to turn out to watch this year’s spectacle.
“We’re adding two to four floats every day and they’re getting bigger and bigger,” Judge says.
“We want to get the message to people to come and participate.
“People watch our parade on both sides of the street. It’s fully packed for the whole route.”
Judge says several music bands will take part and of course Santa Claus himself will be in attendance.
It’s an event for people of all faiths and cultures, he says.
Jess Lim, who’s in charge of the parade floats, wants to hear from anyone keen to take part.
She says it will feature lion dancers, reindeer, brass and pipe bands, cultural dances and more.
“Our parade is about teamwork. We all work together.
“We are passionate about our community and we want to make children happy.
“If children are happy, their parents will be happy.
“Santa Claus is for everyone. It doesn’t matter what ethnicity they are.”
Participants in this year’s Papatoetoe Santa Parade assemble in Kingswood Road Reserve by 4pm for the parade start at 7pm.
The parade goes into Kingswood Rd, left into St George St, left into Great South Rd, left into Kolmar Rd, then back into St George St before finishing in Tavern Lane.
Email santaparade@papatoetoemainstreet.org.nz to volunteer or enter a float.