Cracker Christmas Festival 2011
Saturday 17 December - in conjunction with the Blenheim Christmas Parade
This year, for the first time we combined two of Marlborough 4 Fun's prestigious events to make one fun filled day ensuring an even bigger and better Festival day with an increased attendance. There had been a very clear message from both retailers and general public that were surveyed by The Chamber of Commerce that the combined event should take place on a Saturday rather than a Friday evening or Sunday.
That's right, this year the Cracker Christmas Festival followed the Blenheim Christmas Parade as we began the countdown to the arrival of Santa. The Cracker Christmas Festival commenced at 3pm, with buskers and street entertainment around the CBD. The main stage entertainment kicked off at 4pm with local headline act The Beaver Divas - who proved to be a hit with their highly entertaining show, featuring songs from the 70's, 80's, 90's and of course, Christmas Songs. The crowd was also entertained on stage, by local talent - Matthew McNeilly, Olivia Sheat, Christianna Stewart, Clara Van Wel, Letitia Moseley, Con O'Brien & Marlborough Boys' College.
The atmosphere was heightened by the well loved snow machine, the Santa's Cave, stilt walkers, bouncy castle, ballpond and facepainting. The evening came to a close with a fantastic sleek "flash mob" performance from the very talented Kelly Webster and her dancers.....well done guys, a lovely way to finish a great afternoon of festive entertainment.
We were thrilled this year to have Bookworld Blenheim as sponsors of the Cracker Christmas Festival. The shops of Blenheim competed with each other to have the best dressed festive window display throughout the month of December, and this year's winner - Heaven's Above, Maxwell Road ( closely followed by Cherub's on Wynen Street ) won a $100 Bookworld Blenheim voucher and a $150 morning tea/lunch shout from the Marlborough Community College. Congratulations to all retailers who got into the spirit and made an effort to make their windows look festive !! And the public voter prize for voting in the window display competition went to Angela Cook, who won a fantastic selection of books for the whole family from Bookworld Blenheim.
Many children kindly entered our colouring in competition, sponsored by Bookworld Blenheim and the winners of each category were:-
A HUGE thank you to our main sponsor for which this event would not have been possible:-
and kindly supported by:
