Te Puke to be Christmas town

• Author: Stuart Whitaker
• Published date: 04 November 2021
• Publication title: Te Puke Times

Instead of a Christmas float parade, Te Puke will become Christmas town.

A highlight of any year, the float parade is organised by EPIC Te Puke. But this year, due to the uncertainty around COVID-19 restrictions, the parade has been cancelled — to be replaced with something a little different.

EPIC Te Puke’s marketing manager Rebecca Larsen says she is obviously disappointed the parade cannot go ahead this year, but says there seems to be very little possibility of restrictions before December 4, the scheduled date of the parade.

By making the call now, she says there is a good lead in time for the alternative plans.

“We want to make Te Puke a destination where people can come and see decorations,” she says.

Businesses, clubs and households are being encouraged to be part of the Christmas town concept that will see the town decorated from December 4 until Christmas.

“We hope this will bring a whole lot of festive cheer for people and be a destination for people to drive to and around from the safety of their vehicles, at their own pace.

“Decorations will be put up by clubs, businesses and on individual houses and we will still run the judging like we would for the parade and the Te Puke Jewellers Supreme Award [for the overall winner] will still be won — so we will continue the spirit of the parade but in a different manner.”

Rather than being disheartened, Rebecca is excited by the new idea.

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