2011 Waipu Christmas Parade
Christmas at Downton Abbey were the popular Best Float
Another fabulous Waipu Christmas Parade – organised by the Waipu Business and Promotions Group with support of the Whangarei District Council and countless locals. The summer seems to begin for me on Christmas eve as people flock to Waipu for the parade. The parade was a great success even if summer took a few more weeks to arrive! Scroll down for some pictures from Rosemary and Sue Welford
The winners were: The Waipu Citizens and Services Club who had a fabulous float themed on Downton Abbey. They won a $500 prize
The runners up (who won $100 each) were: Circool Circus, Waipu Playcentre, Waipu Primary, Radio Waves and Bream Bay Scouts, cubs and Keas.
Thanks to everyone who makes this event happen
and contributes to it being
such a great community event
Christmas and New Year at the Clansman Motel
Christmas Lunch 25 December
Forget about cooking, make it a special day by joining in lunch in a 5 course traditional menu $45pp Bookings essential. Ph 432 0424
Hogmanay with Clan Donald 31 December
Clan Donald invite you to join them to celebrate Hogmanay – the Scottish new year eve witha 5 course dinner, pipers and the address to the haggis $45pp Bookings essential. Ph 432 0424
Waipu Christmas Carols 2011
Once again Lachie Mclean, local singers and musicians will be practising for the annual carol service. All are welcome to join the choir – its one way of guaranteeing a seat.
Practices: 7.30 8 December, 13th and 15th December and 6pm 18th December at Waipu Presbyterian Church
Carol Service: 8pm 18 December
come early to get a seat, or bring a seat and rug to sit outside to enjoy the evening.
Waipu Christmas Parade 2011
Christmas Eve in Northland, there is no better place to be than Waipu, for the annual Christmas Parade. This year was no exception, and even a shower of rain did not dampen the spirits. Lots of people had dressed for the occasion and Gloria Mills, Janine McGregor and Braden one the $50 onl0oker prize (does anyone have a photo of the winners?? email me) See the photos below – if you have others email them to me and I can add them to the show!)
One visiting twitterer – @aaron_bird said the Waipu Santa parade was 10x better than the over commercialized city parades – it was fabulous!
The winning float ($500 Prize): a popular choice and was won by the Waipu Playcentre with their caravan of zoo cages.
Runner up Prizes ($100 each)
- Circool Circus
- Ruakaka Cub Scouts
- Waipu Surf Club
- Waipu Pony Club
- Waipu Citizens and Services club
Thanks to:
- Whangarei District Council for $2,000 towards the Parade
- Waipu Business Promotions Group for organising it
- for all those who bought tickets in the Christmas raffle
- For the Lions who do security, and Don Ewen and Neil Troost on sound, for Santa and the Fire Brigade and all those who made it such fun
Who won the Waipu Christmas Raffle
Jayden Fox is 5 years old and we think is the youngest winner of the Waipu Christmas raffle. His great grandmother Lyn Reid bought the ticket in his name and he was thrilled to win – especially when he discovered how many sweets were in the hamper! Read more
Christmas and New Year festivities in Waipu and Bream Bay
There is lots to do in Waipu and Bream Bay over the Christmas/New Year period, here is some dates to help you keep track:
- Waipu Community Carols 8pm Sunday 19 December - come early for a seat, or bring a chair and sit outside. Better still – join the choir to guarantee a lot of fun and a seat - dates of practices
- Waipu Christmas Parade 7pm Christmas Eve 24 December – the official start of the summer for most of us, and the only parade we know of on Christmas Eve! Dress for the occasion and you could win $50 for the best dressed onlooker prize. To enter a float - info here
- Waipu Highland Games 1 January: the gates open at 8.30 – march of the clans at 9.30 full programme and prices here from $15pp
- Waipu Cove Surf Club Day 2 January - fun for the whole family with the big dig, sandcastle competition, nipper fun events, Miss waipu and more… Join the traditional 7.30 start – the run from the Waipu Hotel to the Cove or the swim from Langs Beach to Waipu Cove.
- Summer Racing Carnival at Ruakaka – 5 and 19 January – fun for the whole family where the surf meets the turf! More info
Christmas in Waipu – get prepared!
Yes I know its still November, and I don’t like all the shops already advertising Christmas specials already. However you will need time to get your Parade Float organised and the Christmas Carol practices begin in a few weeks. Here is all you need to know to join the fun. Read more
Waipu Christmas Parade 2009
What a great village Waipu is!! 30 community groups and local businesses work the week before Christmas – our busiest time of the year to create floats for the Annual Christmas Parade on Christmas Eve. Its all about a good time, but the treasurers of various groups have their eye on the potential $500 first prize, or the 5 $100 runner up prizes. Competition is fierce with the Waipu Surf Club always odds on to win – again!!! Read more
Waipu Christmas Carols 2009
The Sunday before Christmas Waipu was once again the venue for what must be the most enthusiastic carol service in New Zealand. Lauchie McLean has conducted the choir and band for many years and people come from Dargaville, Whangarei, Rodney – 80 in the choir and a band to match.¬ Joan Kennaway and others said it was the best ever. Read more
