Ohakune Christmas celebration plans

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 11, Issue 515, 7 December 1993, Page 13

Ohakune Christmas celebration plans

At a well-attended meeting of Ohakune retailers last week it was decided to promote three major events each year, these being a Christmas carnival, a market day and the carrot festival. With the extra funding now available through the council the events are either self-funding or subsidised so the retailers will not be facing major outlay. "This year we have re-

verted to the idea of a family fun day for the Christmas carnival with the only retail stall activity allowed being spinningjenny which will operate from 12 noon to 4pm with the proceeds being used for prizes for the various events," said retailers chairman Alan Murdie. Although the final programme is not complete the day will start with the welcome arrival of Father Christmas followed immediately by a decorated slow bike race up the main street. From there the carnival will move to outside Ohakune T.V. & Electrical for an event (still to be decided) and then back to the main street for a egg and spoon race on roller blades. From there it will move to the various supporting retailers around the town who will organise, with the group's help, events to be run outside their premises.

After each of these events we will move back to the main street. The day will end at 4pm with a free matinee for the children followed by an iceblock and a farewell from Father Chri stmas. Leading up to Christmas there is a mailbox, direct to Santa, located in Dot and Bee Barnes craft and plant shop, for the children. Once they have faxed away the letters we hope to have them on display outside the old Farmers building (new door to the BNZ) with a prize for the best letter. There will also be a Santa' s cave arranged and photo sessions with Santa inside each participating retailers store at various times.