The new organisers of the Oamaru Christmas Parade have confirmed a date for the parade, and promised to make this year's event "bigger than ever".
Radio station Port FM took over as principal organiser of the annual event from Gary Watling in April, and station manager Anton Roswell said plans were already well advanced.
Mr Roswell said the event, which will take place on December 1, had the backing of three major sponsors, but there was also a lot of support from local businesses across North Otago.
"We are also advertising as far as Palmerston and into Waimate as well, so it's not just around the local area.
"The idea is to make it bigger and better than last time.
"What's happened with Santa parades around the country is that the excitement of them dies away, and our plan for this year is to make sure we don't disappoint.
"It's got to be interesting, it's got to be exciting, it's got to be full of noise - and it will be." Mr Roswell said the parade was "guaranteed" to be bigger than it had been in past years.
Port FM had already successfully helped organise the Oamaru on Fire extravaganza in June, and that experience had put it in good stead for the Santa Parade, he said.
"If you liked Oamaru on Fire, you will absolutely love the Santa Parade.
"That proved that if you have the right excitment and the right drawcard, people will come along to it, and that's what we are going to try and do with the Santa Parade."
Last year, Santa appeared on a jet ski after his float failed its warrant of fitness, but volunteers had been organised to ensure he would this year make a comeback on his traditional sleigh.
"We have volunteer people that are going to fix it. It is a work in progress but we are definitely fixing it; that's the most important thing."
But Port FM is still looking for volunteers to help fix the float, or becoming involved in the parade.
