Inglewood prepares for year's highlight

The annual Inglewood Lions Christmas Parade has been a long-time highlight of the festive season and this year promises to be bigger and brighter than ever, says the Lions' Pat Julian.

However, there will be a noticeable omission from this year's line-up of floats next Saturday.

"Owing to a double booking, Santa's traditional sleigh and reindeer had to be shipped off to Alaska or some such chilly place, so Santa gave the team up at Santa's Cave strict instructions to build him a 2012 model sleigh ... It even comes with a mystery celebrity co-driver," Pat says.

This year's theme is Nursery Rhymes.

"Thanks to the generous support of the TET arranged by Inglewood First, we are able to award prizes for various float categories," Pat says. Inglewood has again supported the Christmas parade with shop specials, street stalls, an Axemen Carnival, and a range of attractions for children. There is plenty of parking on the railway land opposite Shoprite.

Pat invites organisations outside Inglewood to also enter floats or displays in the parade, adhering to the nursery rhyme theme where possible.

"Your float or display should be at the Parade assembly point on Brown St. Judging will take place between 11 and 11.30am."

The parade starts at midday, with road closures from 11.30am.

For further information, contact Pat at (06) 756 7590, or Bob Jackson (06) 756 7302.