Father Christmas was not the only familiar face atop a sleigh at the Balclutha Santa Parade on Saturday.
Santa might have been the most well known, but among others were Otago Highlanders Matt Faddes, James Lentjes and Liam Coltman, as well as Otago players Gavin Stark and Tony Ensor and Southern Steel netballer Abby Erwood.
Colourful clown stilt walkers from ''Highly Flammable'' displayed their circus antics, Holmdene Home for the Aged residents were covered in tinsel and reindeer antlers, and children from Big River Educare made their way down in a Hansel and Gretel gingerbread house.
Organiser Jean Procter, who has worked over the past few months ensuring the Santa Parade could go ahead this year, was very happy with the turnout and how well everything worked out.
Mrs Procter said about 40 floats were entered, which was a huge increase on previous years.
The parade was accompanied by a market day, with stalls lining the sides of Clyde St.
After the procession, floats were judged on their creativity by Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan, Creative New Zealand board member Ken Payne and Trusts Community Foundation member Joy Greene.
Milton Primary School won the overall award for best float for its assortment of small penny-farthings, unicycles and bouncy bikes.
