Southland Santa Parade event management trustee Alice Pottinger said if not for the generosity of volunteers it would not be possible to put on such a large-scale event.
"Every year the Santa parade draws more and more people together and without the community lending their time and support ... we just would not be able to do this," Mrs Pottinger said.
Last year’s Santa parade attracted a record 20,000 Southlanders to the festive pre-Christmas event.
The organisers hoped that with last year’s success and the promising weather, this year’s parade would draw in even more.
The first parade was held in 1999. There were just six floats but the number had now grown to about 60.
About 1200 people will be participating in the 2025 convoy.
"We have some wonderful community groups and businesses that have come on board which has made it pretty cool," Mrs Pottinger said.
The ILT City of Invercargill Highland Pipe Band and town crier Lynley McKerrow will lead the parade.
There will be a gala afternoon held after the parade so that children "could get a chance to see the floats up close and personal", get a picture with Santa Claus and for the community groups and businesses to connect. A variety of food trucks would be nearby if people needed a bite to eat.
"We are having positive thoughts and hope for a sunny day and that our families will come out ... consider others and have a safe and fun day."
It’s that time again
Southland Santa Parade,
Saturday, November 29, 1pm.
Gala afternoon, Gala St Reserve, 2.30pm-4pm.
