Santa Claus (Stewart Saunders) and his helpers [from left] Ave Valoa-Jack (9), Georgia McWing (10) and Meghan Saunders (9). PHOTOS: LUISA GIRAOSouthland has officially kicked off the holiday season with its traditional Christmas Parade. About 20,000 people took over the Invercargill streets today to watch Santa Claus and about 60 floats with a variety of themes. Southland Christmas Parade Charitable Trust organiser Alice Pottinger was delighted with the support of the community and businesses across the region following a challenging year due to Covid-19. The parade started at 2pm and lasted about an hour and travelled from the corner of Gala and Kelvin Sts along Gala St and down Dee St to Tay St then back up Kelvin St to where it all began.

Source: Otago Daily Times November 28, 2020 03:33 UTC