Thursday, Novmeber 23, 2017
Sven Carlsson
ORGANISERS of the Opotiki Community Christmas Float Parade for 2017 point out that residents have one more week to sign up for the event.
Whakaatu Whanaunga Trust staff member Sylvia Rangiahua said entry forms could be picked up from the trust offices in Church Street or from Opotiki New World supermarket.
“Last year we had 14 floats,” she said. “This year we’re aiming for 20.”
This year’s parade theme is “Hear our voices, our voices count”.
There will be seven categories, including best corporate float, best kohanga reo or kindergarten, best school and best club or community group float.
There’s also a best-wheels competition for those with bikes, scooters, or strollers.
In addition, the best-decorated shop window will be proclaimed.
The parade will take place on Friday, December 1, between 4pm and 6.30pm and entry is free of charge.
Mrs Rangiahua said health and safety regulations meant floats from which participants threw water, eggs, lollies or other projectiles would be disqualified.
“We used to have lolly scrambles where the lollies were thrown onto the street, but we now hand them out instead,” she said.
“Lollies being thrown onto the road could lead to an accident.”
Participating vehicles must have a current warrant of fitness and registration.
Mrs Rangiahua said the judges would look for float creators who had put effort into following the theme of “hear our voices, our voices count”.
“They will also look for the level of participation, originality and other factors,” she said.
“But most of all it’s about having fun and getting into the spirit of Christmas.”
Float teams need to return their filled-in entry forms by 4.30pm on Thursday, November 30.