Stars on skates weave through festivities

’Twas the last day of spring when a crowd of about 20,000 merry-folk of Southland came together for the annual Santa Parade in Invercargill.

Giant teddy bears, Oompa Loompas and of course, Father Christmas were among some of the 57 floats that took part in the festivities, with about 1500 to 2000 people taking part on Saturday afternoon.

Head elf Alice Pottinger said the parades improved each year — she’s organised six. This year’s possibly drew the biggest crowd they’d seen.

Sunny and calm, she said it was lucky the parade was not held the following day.

Ms Pottinger said it was a fantastic day but all involved were exhausted by the end of it. For now, it was time for a break until Easter, when preparations for the next parade would begin.

It was a diverse event, with many of Southland’s different multicultural groups and councils taking part, and countries represented included Brazil, Colombia, Thailand and The Philippines.

Invercargill mum Shelley Dela Llana said she brought her two children every year, both of whom were dressed for the occasion in green and red — "we dress up every year."

Her son Ridley (7), said he did not know what his favourite part of the parade was, but his sister Cascade (3) said her favourite was Elsa from Frozen.

The parade started at 2pm and lasted about an hour and travelled from the corner of Gala and Kelvin Sts. along Gala St and down Dee St to Tay St then back up Kelvin St to where it all began.