Held every second year, this coming Sunday 11th December will see Christmas in the Park return again to the Kopua Reserve for a night of fun and entertainment to suit people of all ages.
The event will kick off at 5pm with a programme packed with entertainment for the kids. There will be games, yummy food, carols and bouncy castles as well as special guest appearances by Santa and Buzz and Poppy (from popular animated television series).
The Funky Monkeys — “New Zealand’s very own musical supergroup for kids” — will also be hitting the stage later on in the evening bringing their high-energy performance of song and dance to the Kopua Reserve.
The night will also feature a performance by swing-funk band Late 80’s Mercedes. Known for their rearrangements of popular Top 40 songs, as well as more classic tunes, into catchy jazz numbers, this nine-piece band has received some rave reviews from artists such as Pete Wentz of Fallout Boy fame.
Returning with an eighth placing at the World Hip Hop Championships, crews from the Dziah Dance Company will also be showcasing their hip-hop dance routines infused with a bit of kiwi flavor.
Originally established by the Community Arts Council, Christmas in the Park has grown over the last few years with over 500 in attendance at the previous night in 2009.
“This is a free event for the whole family, it’s a real community effort that we wouldn’t be able to put on without the involvement of local businesses and other supporters,” says organiser Pastor Roger Peart of Surfside Church.
Other highlights of Christmas in the Park include performances by local school groups, musicians and performing artists. With the construction of the new footbridge, this year’s Christmas in the Park will be held around the soccer fields at Kopua Reserve.
Make sure to head down to the Kopua Reserve for a fun-filled evening and check out the big-screen television for a live-feed of what’s happening on the night as well!
Maki Nishiyama
