They really do know it’s Christmas

5 Dec 2024 • By Mary Anne Gill

It was just what the community needed – a Christmas Parade with lots of happy, smiling faces, despite the steady rain. Mary Anne Gill was there with her camera and wrote about the day.

Tiana, 7 months, is fast asleep with mother Unia Gurung of Nepal as Mary, the mother of Jesus, on the Cambridge Baptist Church float. Cambridge Christmas Parade 2024

Pop in a visit from Santa Claus as well and a dry run from halfway through, then count it as a huge success.

The New World-sponsored and Destination Cambridge-organised event attracted 51 floats – the most since 2017 – and its recycling theme meant no one had to spend a fortune on their entry. In fact, the more recycled items the better in the case of Cambridge Primary School whose float was a testament to reusing whatever you can.

Cambridge Kindergarten won the Kaz Design pre-school category float. Cambridge Christmas Parade 2024

It was the overall winner after earlier capturing the Cambridge Community Board school category prize.

Marky and Sparky took out the Waipā Networks business category, Cambridge Kindergarten won the Kaz Design pre-school award and the Jumble Around Community group category went to the resourceful Lions Club of Cambridge.

Marky the Sparky won the best business float. Cambridge Christmas Parade 2024

The Grinch tried to steal Christmas – hopping into Te Manawa o Cambridge’s van which was towing children in a trailer. The van stalled due to over heating right on the Town Clock roundabout.

Ironically the van’s windows said “help, help” a reference to the assistance the community hub provides to support Cambridge whānau. The trust provides a safe and welcoming space for connection, learning and growth by offering resources and support to strengthen the community.

A helping hand for Te Manawa o Cambridge – a community hub dedicated to supporting whānau in Cambridge – whose van stalled at the Town Clock roundabout. Cambridge Christmas Parade 2024

The float held up the parade for a short time while the driver tried to get it going but some strong men gave the van and the trailer a big push through the roundabout …… and on went the parade.

No one complained.

Constable Dan ‘Sticky’ Glew brought up the rear of the parade. Cambridge Christmas Parade 2024

Falun Dafa brought a splash of yellow to the Cambridge Christmas Parade 2024

Falun Dafa brought a splash of yellow to the Cambridge Christmas Parade 2024

Cambridge RDA (Riding for Disabled) could not bring the horses to the parade so dogs filled in for them. Cambridge Christmas Parade 2024

Within 45 minutes, thanks to the volunteers from Cambridge Rotary, Rural Tours and New World, the parade was finished, the streets were cleared and Santa was in the Town Hall at the Christmas Festival.

Crowd estimates varied between 1000-2000 – difficult to estimate because of the numbers of umbrellas there were – despite it being wet for the second year running.

They’re a hardy lot in Cambridge!

See: Rain, who cares? Christmas Parade a cracker

See: Taking sanctuary

Cy Co Coffee Cart’s Miriam Ellis rushed back from Taupō where she had been working to participate in the parade. Cambridge Christmas Parade 2024

It wouldn’t be a Cambridge Christmas Parade without the Cambridge & Districts Pipe Band; its number boosted by Te Awamutu colleagues. Cambridge Christmas Parade 2024

Youth Aid officer Constable Danica Hibdige leads the parade. Cambridge Christmas Parade 2024

Parade a cracker

Cambridge Lions declared themselves the Kings of Recycling and judges agreed presenting them with the community group award.

Thumbs up from volunteer and youth leader Jack Redpath of St John Ambulance.

This little tot from Busy Bees Cambridge bravely walked through the rain but seemed to have his eye out for some respite.

Strive Performing Arts are surrounded by bubbles as they head around the Cambridge Town Clock roundabout.

Waipā mayor Susan O’Regan with son Jack Hayward and driver Nigel Weber in his 1929 Rolls-Royce Springfield Phantom.

Cambridge Rotary volunteers begin the clean-up. From left: Tim Gurnsey, Malinda Chandrasekhar, Bill Robinson, Maurie Marshment, Beverley Rogers, Camille Guzzwell from The Breeze, Laurie Graham, Don Wilson, Bill Wilson, Alan van Niekerk.