The Dunedin Santa Parade, organised by Dunedin Santa Parade Trust, overcame yesterday morning's ominous weather to run in, mostly, blazing sunshine.
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Organisers estimated nearly 40,000 people attended the parade.
That crowd arrived early and filled vantage points from the parade's Regent St start to its Moray Pl finish.
They had come with wheelchairs, pushchairs and camp chairs. Children sat on their parents' laps, people clapped and sang along with the music and faces of all ages sported smiles for the parade's full 90 minutes.
Perhaps the biggest wonder was the weather. A windy, cold, wet Sunday cleared to hot sunshine for much of the parade, and when Santa Claus himself waved from the final float, no rain had fallen.
Trust chairman Mark Laughton said choosing to hold the parade after a morning of wintry weather was a tough call.
''It was fair to say [yesterday] morning, when we made our decision ... we could have gone either way but we're thrilled we went ahead.''
The parade featured 74 floats, including old favourites Snoopy's Christmas, Jack and the Beanstalk and the Cadbury Castle, while a collection of several fire engines inspired some of the day's loudest cheers.
But this year's two new floats - a collection of dancing minions, and a larger than life Thunderbird 2, complete with the Tracy family - had been particularly satisfying, Mr Laughton said.
Despite the $10,000 price tag each float came with - and the subsequent fundraising work - yesterday's reaction from the huge crowd had been reward enough for him and his team of volunteer workers.
''Seeing the kids' faces and the absolute excitement and smiles and laughter, it makes it all worth it.''
Santa was the big attraction for the Evans family of Mosgiel. Emily (9) said Santa and his float was a highlight, although the giant robot had also impressed her ''because I like that it opened up and then it closed up again''.
Younger sister Sarah (7) enjoyed seeing her friends in various floats, but said Santa Claus was the clear standout.
Youngest of all, William (5), made note of the free chocolate at the end-of-parade concert, but was most impressed by Santa, ''because I like to see Santa Claus''.
That concert, with music from Dunedin band ''Idol Frets'', entertained a crowd of thousands with carols and other songs before being joined on stage by Santa.
Santa said he recognised all the children, knew what they wanted for Christmas, and was looking forward to seeing them all again on Christmas Eve.
