Monday, December 25, 2006
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas everyone. Apologies (again) for the lack of blogging action - I haven't run out of opinions, just time! And I've got a building project on starting tomorrow, so it may be a week or two before you hear from me again.
Take care everyone and have a safe and happy holiday break.
Take care everyone and have a safe and happy holiday break.
Friday, December 01, 2006
It's Christmas Parade Day!
Tomorrow (Saturday, 2nd December) will be one of those great Helensville community days.
It is, of course, Christmas Parade day, always one of the most popular days on the town's calendar. I've been to pretty much every one for the past 15 years or so, and it never ceases to amaze me that it seems almost the entire town turns up to watch.
What's great about it is that it's still such an amateur affair - and I mean that in a nice way.
Some of the floats are really wonderful, and a huge effort goes into organising and making them, but they are all still patently home-made. The kindergarten float - in recent years usually one of the winners on the day - has obviously been made with plenty of input from the kids, for example.
Others are less flashy - often just a truck nicely washed up and with a bit of tinsel dangling here and there - but the point is, the people make the effort. They don't get anything for all their time and effort, other than knowing they are helping keep a local tradition alive and kicking, and providing a bit of fun for the local children (and adults too, I guess).
Combined with the various stalls and other happenings in the main street - including this year an exhibition in the War Memorial Hall of more than 800 Barbie dolls by a local collector - it makes for a fun day with that small town feel.
Christmas Parade day has grown into much more in recent years, of course, with the addition of the PACKS (Performing Arts Kaipara South) variety performance at the Parakai Domain, Christmas in the 'Ville. I think tomorrow will be its fourth year, and it's always a huge family affair, with locals picnicking on the grass while local talent takes to the stage to perform or take part in the big production.
The slickness of the production has improved notably over the years, and I suspect will be even better tomorrow. True to its local nature and the fact almost anyway can have a go, the quality of the performers can vary quite a bit. But once again, that's what makes it fun.
I recall last year hearing a couple of disparaging remarks about the quality of some of the acts. Gee guys, it's FREE for heavens sake - it's not like you paid to see some flash show. The whole point is that it's local people performing for locals. At least they have the guts to get up there and have a go.
Just take the whole day for what it is - a home-grown affair keeping local traditions afloat, nothing flash, nothing fancy, just good old-fashioned fun.
It is, of course, Christmas Parade day, always one of the most popular days on the town's calendar. I've been to pretty much every one for the past 15 years or so, and it never ceases to amaze me that it seems almost the entire town turns up to watch.
What's great about it is that it's still such an amateur affair - and I mean that in a nice way.
Some of the floats are really wonderful, and a huge effort goes into organising and making them, but they are all still patently home-made. The kindergarten float - in recent years usually one of the winners on the day - has obviously been made with plenty of input from the kids, for example.
Others are less flashy - often just a truck nicely washed up and with a bit of tinsel dangling here and there - but the point is, the people make the effort. They don't get anything for all their time and effort, other than knowing they are helping keep a local tradition alive and kicking, and providing a bit of fun for the local children (and adults too, I guess).
Combined with the various stalls and other happenings in the main street - including this year an exhibition in the War Memorial Hall of more than 800 Barbie dolls by a local collector - it makes for a fun day with that small town feel.
Christmas Parade day has grown into much more in recent years, of course, with the addition of the PACKS (Performing Arts Kaipara South) variety performance at the Parakai Domain, Christmas in the 'Ville. I think tomorrow will be its fourth year, and it's always a huge family affair, with locals picnicking on the grass while local talent takes to the stage to perform or take part in the big production.
The slickness of the production has improved notably over the years, and I suspect will be even better tomorrow. True to its local nature and the fact almost anyway can have a go, the quality of the performers can vary quite a bit. But once again, that's what makes it fun.
I recall last year hearing a couple of disparaging remarks about the quality of some of the acts. Gee guys, it's FREE for heavens sake - it's not like you paid to see some flash show. The whole point is that it's local people performing for locals. At least they have the guts to get up there and have a go.
Just take the whole day for what it is - a home-grown affair keeping local traditions afloat, nothing flash, nothing fancy, just good old-fashioned fun.
