A couple of weekends ago the annual Farmers Santa Parade was held in Queen Street in Auckland and we braved the throngs of people to have a little look.
Coming from Wanganui where there was a Santa Parade although not too impressive for older people (the kiddies were more than happy I’m sure) I knew the Auckland Santa Parade would be a little bit more impressive and I wasn’t disappointed.
I must admit I did think halfway through that it really was just a huge advertising campaign for the various businesses who were participating but I guess that is the nature of the beast these days isn’t it, there is advertising everywhere and it won’t be going away anytime soon.
There was float after float and some of them had nothing to do with Christmas, or perhaps I just didn’t understand what they had to do with Christmas? If anyone knows what a huge inflatable Superman has to do with Christmas please let me in on the secret.
All in all it was a good experience although both of us were getting restless towards the end from standing in one place and we decided to start walking up Queen street to look at the Smith & Caugheys window display before the parade had finished. Although it turned out that there was only a few more floats to go and we saw the ultimate attraction – Santa and his reindeer right at the very end.
I did find it a little odd that it was held at the end of November and I’m one of those people that think you shouldn’t have Christmas stuff out until at least December and I’d prefer not to hear Carols for the whole month and think these should be restricted to the week leading up to Christmas. It just makes it a little more exciting (and bearable) I reckon!.
Do you usually attend the Santa Parades in your area?
What are your thoughts on Christmas Paraphernalia before December?
Man, I stopped going to santa parades when I became a teenager. I agree with you that they just seem to be advertisements -not worth bearing the heat, in my opinion!
I do enjoy the Smith and Caughey’s windows though!