Christmas Dress Ups in July;
Farmers Santa Parade Kicks into Gear!
Just in time for mid-winter Christmas, the annual Farmers Santa Parade gears up for this year’s extravaganza. Children eager to be involved in the celebration will pour excitedly into the
costume studios off Karangahape road these school holidays to try on outfits they won’t get to wear until 1pm on Sunday 26th November! (rain date 3rd December).
The Farmers Santa Parade is a tradition so loved in Auckland it hardly needs an introduction. This all-ages party showcases everything Christmas,
and this year, everything Steampunk! Ronelle Thompson, Costume Room Manager has decided on this retro-futuristic theme
to mix story-book style and the familiarity of Christmas with more innovation than ever before.
Although months prior to the event, July is when Auckland school students arrive in droves to get a glimpse of what the
Parade has in store for them. This year Ronelle and costume designer Maralyn Meyrick have fashioned stunning blue and
pink skirts with cyberpunk cages over them, and monocles with thick straps to represent this neo-Victorian look.
Meanwhile in set, Peter Taylor is transforming a pink dinosaur into a dragon with wheels, cogs and everything in
between. Pete is the unsung hero of the Farmers Santa Parade who has been designing and constructing floats for over 45
years.
As is the way each year, tens of thousands of spectators are expected to flock to Auckland CBD to be part of this one
day festival celebrating Christmas and Auckland.
84 fantastic years of the most-anticipated Christmas celebration in Auckland; and the 2017 parade is sure to provide
some of the best festivities yet!