Wednesday 14 December, 2022
There will be free parking in the city from 3pm tomorrow to coincide with the Pukeko in a Palm Tree Christmas party.
The community event has been organised by Te Tairāwhiti Arts Festival and will go ahead even if it’s raining.
Between 3pm and 8pm the city will be alive with local bands, dance workshops, art installations and fun things for the children to do.
“We want to encourage shoppers into the CBD and make sure everyone can take part in the activities that will be on offer,” says Gisborne District Council Chief Executive Nedine Thatcher Swann.
Pukeko in a Palm Tree will be centered around Treble Court and the Library but covers Bright Street, Peel Street and Gladstone Road.
Santa will arrive at 4.45pm at a surprise location in the city centre.
There will be a bouncy castle, pony cycles and face painting. Workshops include dancing or make your own Christmas decorations at HOEA!.
Ms Thatcher Swann says it’s a chance for our whole community to get together and enjoy a Christmas party that’s focused on the kids but with something for everyone.
It’s the first of four events over the next few days with sporting personalities in town to support the next two.
The Grey Street Festival is on Friday from 4 to 8pm. A portion of Grey Street will be closed for the event (by the Skate Park and Pumptrack) and Black Ferns Renee Holmes and Charmaine McMenamin will be there.
On Saturday Tall Black Ethan Rusbatch is in town for the 2pm official opening of the city’s new half-basketball courts down by Waikanae Beach.
Over at Uawa (Tolaga Bay) a Funky Whānau Xmas in the Park is being held at the Tolaga Bay Skate Park on Sunday from 3.30 to 7pm, with organisers telling people to bring a chair and a picnic for an afternoon of entertainment.