Cambridge Christmas Parade – Deb Hann
Cambridge Christmas Parade is being organised by the Lions Club of Cambridge on Sunday December 7.
Cambridge Christmas Parade 2024
The club has assumed responsibility for the parade after the closure of the town’s iSite which was formerly responsible for the annual event.
Cambridge Lions’ Brent Montgomerie. Photo: Viv Posselt
“Everything is on track,” said project manager Brent Montgomerie.
“We’re fortunate to have a strong group of Lions members and supporters who’ve stepped up to help.
“We’re feeling well-prepared heading into parade day. Having more hands and support has made a real difference.”
About 40 volunteers from the Lions Club, Rotary Club of Cambridge and the wider community will marshal floats and provide crowd control during the parade.
Camille Guzwell kept the crowd entertained at the Cambridge Christmas Parade last year with parade manager Vicki Ewing.
Parade manager Vicki Ewing said she was appreciative of the offer of help from Cambridge Community Board chair Charlotte FitzPatrick.
“Community support like that makes a big difference and shows how much people value the parade.
“We’d like entries to be mid-40s. The response has been really encouraging. Last year’s parade was huge with over 50 entries and even more vehicles and hitting our maximum regarding space – it takes a bit to get them all in order and parked, ready for the journey down the street. The team do a grand job with quite a bit of juggling involved. As it’s a community inclusive event we have never turned anyone away.”
Kelly Bouzaid
Cambridge Business Chamber chief executive Kelly Bouzaid was supportive of the parade.
“We are aware of only one Cambridge retailer who raised concerns about the event being scheduled for a Sunday afternoon — a time when most retailers are already closed or winding down for the day,” she said.
“From the chamber’s perspective, business wellbeing is always a priority, but it’s equally important to strike a balanced position. The Cambridge organisers have selected a day and time that is both practical and considerate for the majority of the community, and in our view, there would be no better option.
The timing of parades in Waipā was raised at a district council meeting last week.
“Christmas parades are a cherished part of our local fabric — moments of joy, community connection, and celebration. Life is full of compromises, and this is one where the benefit to the wider community is clear,” Bouzaid said.
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Cambridge Christmas Parade 2024
