Christmas procession will be one highlight of festivities

Press, 30 November 1978, Page 5

Christmas procession will be one highlight of festivities

Kaiapoi’s Christmas procession and carnival has become well-established as the year’s highlight for the district and is a first-class example of community involvement. Local businesses are canvassed for donations towards expenses and the project is a joint effort of the Businessmen’s Association and Kaiapoi Jaycees. The procession on Saturday will follow a new route this year, leaving Davie Street at 1 p.m. It will move into Williams Street, north of Cass Street then down to Hilton Street, along to Rich Street, then turn into Raven Street and continue clown to near the Mafeking footbridge beside the borough school. A chain and gate will be open to allow the procession to enter Murphy Park, but the public will use the main entrance. There will be some public car parking near the rugby league clubrooms. The borough council has approved the closure of Davie Street, from Williams to Charles Streets, and Cass and Sewell Streets, from Davie to Williams Streets, for one hour from 12.30 p.m.. The new venue for the carnival has been chosen because of its more cen-

tral position and larger area for all events, the association president (Mr Gary Cattermole) said." “We have got the river there and it is an asset; the members consider we should try to use it,” he said. A proviso that stallholders must enter a floht in the procession guarantees a good number for the judges. In addition, teams which competed in the heats of the Top Team contest last Saturday, will lose their bond of $lO unless they are also represented in the procession. The winning float will receive a $5O prize and the association’s challenge shield. As encouragement to community effort, the association has decided this year not to include commercially-run fun fair activities at the carnival. Instead, organisations mav have a stall or a lucky number wheel and also an extra game of chance if they wish. The association has already had indications that this move will be well accepted by the fund-raising groups, said Mr Cattermole. A new challenge trophy will be at stake for them. It is hoped to make the contest an annual event