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Kavinda Herath / Things
Saving the best for last, the man himself, Santa, was in the final float in this year’s Southland Santa Parade.
Dressed in Christmas tree earrings and a sequin cap adorned with the words “Merry Christmas,” Kathy Richardson seemed more excited than the small children around her.
“I’m a girl in my early 70s,” she beamed from the sidewalk on Dee St in Invercargill as she waited for the annual Southland Santa parade to begin on Saturday.
“This year, we have to keep the child in us alive,” he said.
Richardson generally lives in the United States, but decided to stay in New Zealand after returning for her daughter’s wedding, as she felt safer here amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
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It had been 20 years since he last attended the parade in Invercargill.
“We are very lucky to be able to do this safely,” Richardson said.
Businesses and community groups put together 60 floats, with all kinds of weird and wonderful themes, to entertain approximately 20,000 spectators who lined up at Gala St, Dee St and Kelvin St.
A group of superheroes caused special enthusiasm among the little ones, despite the fact that Superman was blond and sported a beard.
Kavinda Herath / Things
The Family Works Southland Giant Teddy Bear is a favorite at the annual Southland Santa Parade.
The Paw Patrol team also drew frantic smiles and greetings.
Sebastian Firth, 6, said his favorite part was “when the bubble person came”, he was referring to the clown blowing bubbles that his father Paul cleared up.
Mitchell Powell, 10, had participated in the Santa Parades in Blenheim and had moved to Invercargill two years ago, but had to sit down this year due to an operation.
In a top printed with Christmas lights and reindeer, she was there to see her friends marching.
“If you can’t join them, you can show up in your best sweater and cheer for them,” said Katrina, Mitchell’s mother.
The Vermeulen family had been watching the Santa Parade since Mom Melanie and her parents moved to Invercargill in 1998.
Ashton, 5, was eager to see his brother Lucas on one of the floats, while his father was driving a truck. I couldn’t wait to be able to participate as well.
Kavinda Herath / Things
The Southland immigrant community shone during the Santa Parade on Saturday, sharing their music and dance with the Southland community.
“This is the first time we’ve had someone in the parade,” Melanie said.
Organizer Alice Pottinger said that everything went smoothly during the day and she enjoyed seeing the smiles on people’s faces.
“It’s a great event, I just love it,” he said.
Pottinger thanked the community and everyone who participated for their support.
