Entries for this Saturday’s NBS Santa Parade have exceeded last year.
More than 50 floats will feature, many decorated along the parade’s theme of A Song That Features a Colour.
Phoenix Preschool preschoolers will be there, singing from hay bales on the back of a big red truck.
They have been learning and singing about Santa.
They have the song Red Red Coat down pat, which they finish off with a very enthusiastic ‘‘And his name is Santa Claus!’’
Expected to attract up to 10,000 people, the parade is on Walnut Avenue starting 12.30pm.
Organiser Carol Johns said the theme had proved enticing for people.
‘‘Every year people ask for more music, so this year they are getting a smorgasbord of it.’’
The themed entries, eligible to win $500, will play their chosen song from floats.
Among entrants are Mid Canterbury Children’s Trust (to sing Rudolph), Dynamic Gymnastic Sports (Little Green Bag), Vikki’s Little Treasures (One Eyed Purple People Eater), Life Dance Academy (Silver Bells), Ashburton Toy Library (Men in Black ), Ashburton Baptist Preschool (Colours of Christmas), NZME (Forever in Blue Jeans) and Ashburton Silver Band (Rudolph) .
Johns said lollies and chips would be handed out, not thrown, during the parade.
The route, which would give spectators two views of the floats, started at the Oak Grove end of Walnut Ave, headed towards West St, and looped back (before the lights) on the other side of the road to finish at the start.
Johns also runs the Christmas Market on the same day from 10am to 4pm at the domain.
She said it would feature a great range of stalls, alongside super trooper and bouncy castles for kids.
Both events were on wet or fine.
- NBS Ashburton Santa Parade 12.30pm, along Walnut Ave (between Oak Grove and West St); Christmas Market, 10am to 4pm, Ashburton Domain near the children’s paddling pool.
