Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Whitianga’s Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Help from the community requested
By Pauline Stewart
The Christmas tree is coming. It’s beautiful and very big. The tree had its first appearance last Christmas. This year there is no covid regulations holding us back and the Lions Club are the team co-ordinating the big task of. Assembling the tree safely and ensuring all the lighting is in place ad setting up all of the arrangements to enable the tree to shine brightly for its time of Christmas and summer evening glory.
The Whitianga MenZshed did a lot of work to fix the tree after it had a run in with a New Year’s Eve reveller last year. The tree had been stored in the back garage of The informer premises for a few months by Stephan and Petra Bosman, as they were the initiators and custodians of it along with Kelvyn of Espy Cafe. They have the resource consent and public liability insurance organised. However it is a tree that belongs to the community. Businesses and individuals have paid for the cost of the tree and its ownership sits under a Trust. The Christmas tree has a new home out at the aerodrome, since the Menzshed team repaired some weeks ago.
From 3.00pm on Thursday 24 November, the tree will be erected in Albert Street Plaza, Whitianga. This setting up of the tree will take five to six hours and the task of getting it upright and complete , and which has a very rewarding visible outcome, will take at least eight men and women with the right skills and strength. We are asking members of the community who feel they could be of help to respond to this request. The Lions Club need your help to put up the tree which has been paid for by businesses and individuals in this community. Hard hats are essential if you can help. A tool belt with handy tools might also be of assistance. John Pedersen has been appointed by the Lions Club to be the Co-ordinator and site foreman and he is very keen to hear from those who believe they could help with this big task (details below).
We will know it’s all finished when the star is fitted on the top of the tree and whoever fits it, has arrived safely back on ‘terra firma’.
Whitianga Security are going to care for the safety of the town’s tree once it is up. Darren of Peninsula Signs will supply the signage to cover the fence around the tree.
The Lighting Ceremony and Evening of Christmas Celebration
Saturday, 3 December, at 7.00pm is the time of the lighting, which is also the day of the Christmas Parade and the Enpointe Dance Studio’s end of year concert in the Whitianga Town Hall at 4.00pm.
However, all of this wonderful celebration is over and everyone can gather for more delight at 7.00pm for the lighting ceremony.
Come to Albert Street Plaza, Taylor’s Mistake, Whitianga. Music and compèring will be provided by Jason Myatt of Coromandel CFM and the wonderful Dixieland Band will bring that extra pizazz.
Santa has to make a few runs following the Santa Parade, but he will be back for the lighting of the tree, because it’s the brightest event in the Coromandel Peninsula that day and evening.
Other attractions from 7.00pm - 8.30pm
Santa photos - $5 with professional photographer and then emailed to parents.
Wrapped gift boxes and sweets to give away.
BBQ – sausage sizzle
Enjoy the lights and the music from Coromandel CFM and the Dixieland Band.
Thank you Whitianga Lions Club Email: pedersen.jm@xtra.co.nz 027 2480779