The South Otago Festival Trust is hosting a revamped
"Christmas Celebration" for Balclutha and the wider Clutha
district on Saturday, and entries for the parade and market
are still open.
The Christmas Celebration will include the Clutha Country
Christmas Market, Can Cruise by the Big River Bikers and a
Christmas parade followed by entertainment.
South Otago Festival Trust event co-ordinator Jean Proctor
said the parade was a new event for the trust, replacing the
annual Christmas concert.
Community groups, businesses, clubs, teams, and individuals
were encouraged to take part in the parade.
Mrs Proctor said participation was varied and could include
decorated floats, individual costume decoration, team
marching and activities.
About 20 entries had been received so far, with 50
registering for a market stall.
Starting in Balclutha at 9am, the Big River Bikers will
travel to Kaitangata, Clutha Valley and Clinton before
returning to Balclutha in time to be in the parade's finale
and deliver canned goods to the Salvation Army's food bank.
The parade will begin at 1pm at Shand House and travel down
Clyde St. A section of State Highway 1 will be closed during
the parade and detours will be in place.
Following the parade there will be entertainment in a
closed-off part of Elizabeth St.
Acts will include South Otago musicians Vickie Evans and
Paige Gardner.
A marquee will be erected in the event of poor weather.
People interested in taking part in the parade or running
stalls can register until 5pm today. Forms can be downloaded
from www.cluthacountry.co.nz or
collected from Development House in John St.
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