Santa, the Sallies - and Darth Vader

The man everyone came to see, Santa Claus. Photo by Peter Mcintosh.
The man everyone came to see, Santa Claus. Photo by Peter Mcintosh.
Some of the tens of thousands of people who took over the Octagon in Dunedin following the 11th...
Some of the tens of thousands of people who took over the Octagon in Dunedin following the 11th annual Santa Parade yesterday. Photo by Peter Mcintosh.

From bagpipes to marching bands, from Jesus to gymnasts, the 11th annual Dunedin Santa Parade had all bases covered as it again attracted tens of thousands of people to George St yesterday.

And anyone who thought Dunedin lacked people with the skill to ride a unicycle had better think again - they are out there.

Some viewers took up good positions along the city's main street at least an hour before the parade, and were rewarded with an extensive spectacle, including the more traditional - the Salvation Army band - to the less usual - Darth Vader in black tights and gumboots.

The sun stayed out for the entire event, with plenty of T-shirts and shorts in the crowd, but Santa, bringing up the rear of the parade, chose more traditional red garments.

Organiser Malcolm Dodds said the parade went off "without a hassle", and would be back next year.

"You never give up on an odd number. Santa said the same thing."

Mr Dodds said the unicyclists had been provided by Cycle Surgery, and had done a good job of keeping crowds back from the road.

The parade was followed by the Mayor's Carols with the Southern Sinfonia at the Regent Theatre, and a family concert in the Octagon.

 

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