Rain fails to dampen Christmas in the Park

Jocelyn Marsh  hands a snack to Ashley Braxton (13) while Hineau Mackenzie prepares treats  at...
Jocelyn Marsh hands a snack to Ashley Braxton (13) while Hineau Mackenzie prepares treats at Christmas in the Park in Takaro Park in Oamaru yesterday. Photo: Daniel Birchfield
The heavens may have opened shortly before the rescheduled start time, but otherwise Oamaru’s annual Christmas in the Park at Takaro Park went without a hitch.

Organised by the House of Breakthrough church, the event was originally scheduled to start at 3pm yesterday but was brought forward by an hour because of the  forecast wet weather.

Despite a short downpour shortly after 2pm, House of Breakthrough pastor Damien Goodsir was delighted with the early crowd of about 300 that braved the rain.

"It’s a real community event and other than the weather, everything’s gone well."

Entertainment included music from artists such as Joseph Balfe and the Saggy Britches Band, pony rides, games, face-painting, lolly scrambles a bouncy castle and an inflatable slide.

A tug-o-war featuring six teams was postponed until later in the day.

Mr Goodsir said the festive celebration, that has been held at Takaro Park each year since 2012, was the church’s way of supporting the Oamaru community at Christmas.

"Our whole reason for doing it is putting on something free and bringing that Christmas cheer to families who turn up to and enjoy it each year ...  we’ve had some people that have come all six years in a row. They don’t miss it."

- Daniel Birchfield

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