Isla Rawson’s colouring-in competition entry won her a spot on the main float with Santa and Mrs Claus at the New World Christmas Parade on Sunday.
Last weekend it was time to line the street and watch the parade. The Cambridge town centre was packed with nearly 2200 people on Sunday for the annual Cambridge New World Christmas Parade.
Nearly 700 of those people were taking part in or helping run the parade, which was blessed with better weather than forecast.
Cambridge BMX Club members rode their bikes in the parade, pictured from left is Norm Macfarlane, Lily Greenough, Riley Bennett and Mason Weinberg.
Destination Cambridge chief executive Miff Macdiarmid, involved in the organisation of the parade for the first time, was delighted with how it went.
“I take my hat off to our parade coordinator Vicki Ewing who really runs a seamless day.”
Miff, joined by Logan Mackenzie from Cambridge New World as a judge, said it was difficult to choose a winner from the 44 float entries because they were so varied.
Goodwood School turned out to the party. Pictured top is: Sophie Webb (green hat). Bottom, from left: Josie Taylor (elf hat), Hayley Webb (Santa hat) and Eryn Rawson.
“The parade really epitomised the colourful community that we live in,” she said. “Creativity and handy-work were in abundance.”
The overall winning float was Cambridge Vets, which also won the business category.
“Cambridge Vets stood out for their fantastic outfits and the work that had gone into them, their enthusiasm, and theme efforts,” said Miff.
Kelvin Scown of Cambridge Vets, the overall float winners (right) and Neville Brewster (left).
The Pre-schools category was won by Jump Start Educare, Community Groups by KS School of Dance and Leamington School took out the main Schools category.
“We are so pleased that all the work on the floats did not get ruined by the weather and that we did not have to implement our cancellation plan,” Miff said.
Representing the Waikato Vintage Tractor Machinery Club, Roger Benton drove his 1926 Fordson in the parade.
She paid tribute to volunteers from Rotary, the Cambridge i-SITE, Destination Cambridge board members and New World.
A treasure hunt held around the CBD on Sunday morning, prompting people to look for hidden kiwi treasures in shop windows and retail stores, was won by Maya Tebbutt and Drakkar New, who each took home a new $400 bike from Evolution Cycles.
Te Miro School students dressed up for their school’s float. Pictured from left is Amelia Burd, Serenna Slaughter, Malachy Slaughter and Victoria Price from Cambridge High in the reindeer suit.
