Auckland, Dec 11: The Farmers Santa Parade began 58 years ago in 1947. Back then, 15,000 parents and children lined the footpaths to witness Auckland’s first real Christmas parade. Today the Farmers Santa Parade attracts over 250,000 people, 4,000 participants and 280 creations of Christmas magic over a 2.2km route.
The parade may have got bigger and brighter but the philosophies still remain the same as those introduced by Farmers founder, Robert Laidlaw in 1947 ? a gift of fantasy and fanfare for the children of the city.
We are presenting a few glimpses of 2005 Farmers Santa Parade.
Author: Melwyn Pereira- New Zealand