Hobart Christmas pageant brings colour, music and celebration to the city streets
The annual Hobart Christmas pageant has brought colour to the city streets and heralded the start of the festive season. SEE THE MEGA GALLERY OF 100+ PICS.
Tasmania
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FAMILIES lined Hobart streets for this year’s Christmas pageant, which heralds the start of the festive season in the city.
Grey skies did not dampen the colourful and joyful parade as it wound its way past the crowds this morning.
Granton’s John Kamara said the parade was an annual tradition for his family.
Mr Kamara said his children, aged from 3-8 loved the pageant.
“Every year this is a highlight for them,” he said.
More than 2500 were involved in the pageant, including school groups, charities, sporting clubs, and musicians.
One of the more traditional groups to join the parade was the Hobart City Band, which belted out some favourite festive tunes.
“People like hearing the old Christmas carols played and we try to do them in a nice jazzy, street march sort of way,” the band’s musical director Simon Reade said.
Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said the pageant was special because while it was a celebration of Christmas, it was also a celebration of the local community.
“It’s an opportunity for community organisations and a diverse range of communities from all over greater Hobart to come and celebrate,” Cr Reynolds said.
Brownwyn Beames from the Southern City BMX Club said club members enjoyed the chance to get out into the community.
“It’s a good way for us to engage with the community and promote the club and BMX,” Mrs Beames said.
Community artist Naomi Marantelli, who has been involved in the pageant for more than 20 years has shared her creative expertise with at least 16 of the 66 groups that took part in the parade, including Fairview Primary School.
The school’s bees and flowers entry was inspired by a drawing workshop.
“We know that bees are important and they’re having a bit of trouble, so it seemed like a good theme for the pageant,” Ms Marantelli said.
The Tasmanian Junior Beekeepers were also part of the parade, and were named runner up in the best float competition.
Dragons Abreast Tasmania Hobart took out best float.
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