The organizers of the Christchurch Santa parade have ditched plans to replace the beloved event with a $15-a-seat indoor show after public backlash and an exodus from sponsors.
The parade now returns, after a two-year pandemic hiatus, as a free open-air event at the Canterbury A&P Showgrounds on December 18.
Parade director Jason Reekers announced in June that the parade would be an hour-long singing, dancing show featuring 22 of the parade’s floats in the Christchurch Arena, at a cost of $15 per seat.
The move was made due to lack of funds and Covid-19 issues, but the announcement received a lot of public response.
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People didn’t want to be charged to see a parade that had been free for 75 years, even though it was promised it would be a buffed-up version.
The negative public reaction led to sponsors withdrawing and forcing the Christchurch Children’s Christmas Parade Trust to rethink the entire parade.
Reekers said the trust now went ahead with plans to hold a free parade at the Canterbury Showgrounds, but it meant the trust would have to find about $185,000 to hold the event and cover annual operating costs, which total about $ 230,000.
KAI SCHWORER/Things
Christchurch Christmas Show Parade Director Jason Reekers announces new plans for the parade.
The parade has already received a $45,000 grant from Christchurch City Council.
“This small volunteer trust is now once again faced with the formidable task of raising the funds needed to host this large free event,” he said.
“If everyone in Christchurch gave $1, we’d be home and hosed. Everyone wants it for free, but someone has to pay for it.”
A fundraising page has been set up to accept donations and the trust is seeking a sponsor for name rights and corporate support to sponsor individual floats.
KAI SCHWORER/Things
Christchurch Christmas Show Parade Director Jason Reekers is seeking donations and sponsorships to support the new free event.
Reekers was also looking for more funding from multiple funding organizations.
Canterbury Showgrounds was a perfect venue for the parade, Reekers said.
It gave the confidence the chance to make the parade a fun family day event.
Reekers hoped for entertainment, a Christmas market, food vendors, bouncy castles and two large picnic areas.
There would be on-site parking and the trust would work with Environment Canterbury to look into public transport options.
The parade makes its way over the paved road within the show area. The floats are brought to life with music, singers, actors and dancers.
Chris Skelton / Stuff
The Christchurch Santa Parade will remain a free event, but will move from the central city to the Canterbury A&P Showgrounds.
The trust decided not to hold the parade on the streets of the city because many were no longer suitable for a parade – they were too narrow, had tram lines above or were too busy to shut down.
The show grounds would become the parade’s permanent new home, and starting next year, it would be held on the last Sunday in November, Reekers said.
It was on December 18 this year due to other events being booked on the property.