New Norfolk Christmas Parade

Santa makes his way down High St earlier today.

A BIG crowd ignored threatening weather conditions to turn out in numbers for the New Norfolk Christmas Parade earlier today. The car park at the old Woolworths site was full for the first time since the new supermarket opened in April.

The crowd had been gathering for some time beforehand due to the new attraction of a fair in Burnett St opposite Lees Corner. Rolling road closures were managed by about a dozen members of the New Norfolk branch of the State Emergency Service.

There were 25 entries in the parade, which got under way shortly after noon, just after a light shower passed over the central business district. A dusting of snow on the hills south of New Norfolk kept the temperatures below today's forecast maximum of 17 degrees.

Families having fun on Lees Corner.

Organised by Derwent Valley Rotary Club on behalf of the New Norfolk Business Alliance, the parade was broadcast live on community radio station Tyga FM, with station manager Roz Chapman and Craig Farrell MLC giving a running commentary. Unlike last year, the participating bands did not stop opposite the Post Office for stationery performances.

Guest of honour Santa Claus made two laps of High St before proceeding to the new park on Lees Corner where the market stalls were still in operation and photos could be taken with Santa for the following hour or so.

The judging panel of Senator Jacqui Lambie, Lyons MHA Guy Barnett and Derwent Valley mayor Martyn Evans named Fairview Primary School as having the best presentation in the parade, followed by New Norfolk Primary School and the Derwent Valley Child and Family Centre.