Cancelled — Santa Parade becomes 'a victim of the virus'

Santa and his friends will not be parading down the main street of Dunedin when the festive season arrives this year.

The Dunedin Santa Parade Trust board confirmed the cancellation of the parade on social media yesterday.

"This is so disappointing but we will have to cancel the 2021 Santa Parade.  Due to Covid restrictions, our parade too has become a victim of the virus."

The post said they planned to make next year's event "bigger and better".

Last year's parade went ahead on December 7, where more than 40,000 people were believed to have attended.

The star of the show, Santa Claus, makes his appearance at the end of the Dunedin Santa Parade....
The star of the show, Santa Claus, makes his appearance at the end of the Dunedin Santa Parade last year. PHOTOS: GREGOR RICHARDSON

Santa Parade Trust chairwoman Michelle Ellwood said that parade was the busiest she had seen it in five years.

The Dunedin Santa Parade is just one of several events that have been cancelled or postponed due to Covid restrictions.

Last week the Queenstown Marathon was postponed until next year.

The Alexandra Blossom Festival's 65th anniversary was meant to be held last month, but due to restrictions was cancelled on September 8.

The Dunedin Craft Beer and Food Festival, which is usually held in October, has been postponed until Waitangi Day weekend, on February 4 and 5.

 

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