Thousands see annual pageant

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32461, 23 November 1970, Page 3

Thousands see annual pageant

For thousands of happy and excited children the Christmas season began in Christchurch on Saturday morning. For a short time the enchanting world of fairy tale, fantasy and wonder came to life as the children took in the splendours of Haywrights annual Christmas pageant. A clear sky and warm sunshine provided a perfect setting as the crowd lined the route of the procession up to four or five deep at places. Vantage points such as the car park building at the corner of Armagh Street and Durham Street were packed with spectators. The procession included more than 30 gaily-decorated j floats, clowns and trick j cyclists. Fourteen bands provided music along the route, iand four marching teams showed their paces. Before the fun began, the 'children sat quietly on the footpaths but as the procession moved into sight they ! surged forward on to the roadway leaving only a nar- : row aisle for the floats. Marshals had a busy time keepj ing them back so the vehicles ' could get past. I It took the procession about half an hour to pass as lit jerked along in fits and ‘ starts, but the children loved ! every minute of it and were ; obviously delighted when a I float came to a halt and they i could inspect it at close range. Old favourites Included in the pageant were all the old favourites; Alice in Wonderland, Jack and the Beanstalk, the Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Cinderella, and The Flintstones. i Most of the floats have been seen in previous years but they had not lost their attraction, even for the older children. The floats were received quietly by many of the younger children who though delighted, seemed a little awed by it all, but older less-in-hibited children raced around excitedly. One of their particular favourites was the vividly-coloured caged monster drawn behind the water- . spraying elephant. The clowns and “big heads” cavorted jovially along the route, while trick cyclists did some remarkable balancing acts on their mutated vehicles. Striking sight All the floats displayed excellent workmanship and made a striking sight for those with the advantage of a high point to watch from. The colour and excitement of the pageant culminated in the final float, the magnificent Father Christmas float, and naturally enough this received the most enthusiastic reception. A superb Father Christmas brought squeals of excitement from the children as he waved and blew kisses from his seat high up on his sleigh. The sleigh was drawn by a team of prancing white reindeer, while beneath him, “Santa’s little helpers” were busily occupied in their workshop, producing the toys the children will get at Christ-! mas. Assembling in Park Terrace, the procession followed a route along the terrace, Rolleston Avenue, Cambridge Terrace, Durham Street, and Armagh Street to Cranmer Square