Christmas arrived in Timaru at the weekend as the Stafford St decorations went up and Timaru Christmas Parade participants progressed along the road and down the Port Loop, much to the enjoyment of thousands of residents lining the footpaths. Once the parade wound down the loop to Caroline Bay, the entertainment continued at the Festival of Roses. Courier reporter Greta Yeoman joined the merry chaos.
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Young performers . . . Waimataitai School band members Zara Erskine (left) and Maddie Edgeler (both 9) wave to the crowds.

Family fun . . . Izzy (7, front) and Chloe Venmore (12) are ready to watch the annual Timaru Christmas Parade.

Caption: Merry Christmas . . . Santa waves to the crowds gathered on Stafford St and the Port Loop for the annual Timaru Christmas Parade on Saturday. PHOTO: GRETA YEOMAN

Live music . . . Timaru musician Caitlin Joy performs for the crowds at Caroline Bay on Saturday evening.

Family fun . . . Arun Gobi (left), Aswin Arun (5, centre) and Pooja Arun join the crowds at the Timaru Festival of Roses night market.

Crowd-watching . . . Amy Westland (10) was busy watching the crowds watching the Bay Carnival float in the Timaru Christmas Parade on Saturday afternoon. PHOTO: GRETA YEOMAN

Round we go . . . Amelia Walker (10, left) and Eloise Gordon (5), both of Pleasant Point, enjoy the Ferris wheel.

In the parade . . . Members of South Canterbury's Tongan community are among the many groups taking part on Saturday.

Fish fun . . . Sarah Young (5) and Dillon Cummings (2) are pleased with their blow-up fish bought at the Timaru Festival of Roses night market.

Sharks and Santa . . . Ti Kouka Kindergarten pupils Karter Manoa (3, left) and Fletcher Connor (4) sport their sharks outfits on South Canterbury Kindergarten's float.

Watching on . . . Lilly Smith (11, left) and Mila Stokes (5) joined the crowds watching the Timaru Christmas Parade at the weekend. PHOTO: GRETA YEOMAN

Watching and waiting . . . Residents lining Stafford St queue up in the hope of receiving some of the vouchers, brochures and lollies being handed out.

Good view . . . Poppy Pratt (6) scores a prime spot to watch the Timaru Christmas Parade on Saturday. PHOTOS: GRETA YEOMAN
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