Up to 30,000 expected at this year’s Myer Christmas Pageant

The heart of Hobart will be filled with festive cheer on Saturday as crowds line the streets for the annual Myer Christmas Pageant. SEE THE ROUTE AND LIST OF ROAD CLOSURES

THE heart of Hobart will be filled with festive cheer on Saturday as crowds line the streets for the annual Myer Christmas Pageant.

Up to 30,000 spectators are expected to attend this year’s pageant, which will include 65 entries and about 2300 participants.

The forecast looks favourable, with the capital expecting a cloudy top of 18C and just 10 per cent chance of rain.

Alderman Bill Harvey said the pageant would have a local community focus, with schools, cultural groups, churches and the business community joining in on the festive fun.

“Parents and their kids will have a great day, filled with lots entertainment,” he said. “There will be many special things to see, including some regular favourites and some new entries.”

Pradipta Dhungana, 10, from the Nepali Society of Tasmania, is joining the Christmas Pageant tomorrow. PICTURE: RICHARD JUPE

The Erth dinosaur truck will head the pageant, with the Clown Doctors close behind aboard Hobart’s Red Decker bus. The Australian Army Band together with the Musical Theatre Crew will welcome the biggest star of the show — Santa.

Fairytale favourites Shrek, Fiona, Donkey and Lord Farquaad will also make a special appearance.

All CBD parking meters will be free and there will be free parking in the Argyle St, Centrepoint, Melville St and Trafalgar Place carparks.

A shuttle bus service will run from the Regatta grounds and between Salamanca Place and Franklin Square from 9am to 3pm.

The 90-minute pageant will kick off at 10.30am. After the parade, kids can visit Santa in store at Myer or meet with Erth’s dinosaurs at Parliament House lawns between 1 and 1.30pm.

Grab a copy of the Mercury tomorrow for your Myer Christmas Pageant.

Schnauzer Poppy with representatives from the Nepali Society of Tasmania. Picture: RICHARD JUPE