A People Day —images by Elizabeth Kerr
The flavour of the Santa Parade for those who couldn’t make it to George Street on Sunday. Following the eight sets of images (lowres only for website use, sampled from 540 frames) there is a link to last year’s photographs. The only disappointment yesterday was that Santa wore dark glasses….Big Mistake, and failed to pin his hat on securely for gusty conditions, it flew off at the best place to get photos, sigh.
Here be young and old, Mayor Cull, the ‘future generations’ stuck with paying for your amazing +$20 million per annum loss-making stadium, Christmas! If they can pay for it.
Congratulations to parade organiser Mark Laughton and the Dunedin Santa Parade Trust for another highly enjoyable and successful event.
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Set 1
Set 2
Set 3
Set 4
Set 5
Set 6
Set 7
Set 8
Octagon concert crowd
█ Santa Parade, Dunedin (1 Dec 2013)
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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr
What if? Dunedin... 
At ODT Online:
7.12.14 Dunedin Santa Parade all go
Dunedin Santa Parade Trust chairman Mark Laughton has confirmed to the ODT the parade will go ahead this afternoon at 3pm.
7.12.14 Video: Dunedin Santa Parade 2014
Dunedin rugged up for the 17th annual Dunedin Santa Parade today. The parade began with dancing girls and ended with a “Merry Christmas everyone” from Santa.
8.12.14 Cold proves no obstacle for Santa + Slideshow
They danced in skimpy costumes, blew bagpipes for all they were worth, clung tight to swaying floats, and still managed to marshall sufficient Christmas cheer to overcome a bleak, bitterly cold Dunedin summer’s day.
Dear Santa
My Christmas wish is that you lock up all those naughty, little, white collar elves who continue to rob from the poor to give to the rich. I know this is the season of goodwill to all men but, Santa, not all men are good. Are they?
Ho ho ho.
Peter
### dunedintv.co.nz December 8, 2014 – 5:53pm
Families in need receive special Christmas delivery
Hundreds of toys are about to be distributed to Dunedin families in need this Christmas.
Video
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### dunedintv.co.nz December 8, 2014 – 5:37pm
Christmas makes an early visit to Dunedin
Father Christmas has made an early visit to Dunedin. He was a key component of the 17th annual Dunedin Santa Parade, which drew thousands to the central city. And despite the chilly weather, it proved to be a festive affair for Christmas lovers young and old.
Video
### ODT Online Sat, 13 Dec 2014
Pixie Town still works its magic
By John Gibb
The many mechanised pixie figures on display in the show, which runs until January 4, are a drawcard for young and old […] part of the show’s appeal was the wealth of intriguing detail in the mechanical figures and their environments.
Read more
Otago Daily Times Published on Dec 10, 2014
Pixie Town Otago Settlers Museum
Visitor Experience Manager Kirsty Glengarry says, “It’s a highlight of the Museum year to exhibit Pixie Town and it’s such a Dunedin icon. I have heard lots of people fondly recalling their experience of Pixie Town as children and I know they all bring their own children back to visit the pixies.”
### dunedintv.co.nz December 16, 2014 – 6:35pm
Pixie Town popular for all ages
A myriad of holiday activities are on offer around the city, particularly for our youngest residents. One key attraction is Pixie Town, which has a long history in Dunedin, dating back to the 1970’s. But it’s not just kids enjoying themselves, parents with fond memories of the Christmas attraction are also getting in on the action.
Video
More of Mr Loughrey’s excellent writing, thus we cite a little more than usual, in the Christmas spirit…….
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### ODT Online Sat, 20 Dec 2014
Opinion | A Strictly Local Matter
For me, the horror lives on
By David Loughrey
For most of us, a trip to Pixie Town is a happy Christmas-time highlight. Not so for David Loughrey, who says the ”remorseless, jerking hysteria of the dreadful sharp-eared Christmas gang” is settled deep within his subconscious. He braved near certain psychological damage to relive the traumas of his youth.
The butcher raised the meat cleaver high above his head, held it aloft for no more than the briefest of moments, then brought it slamming down on the bloodless, fleshless severed limb that was the focus of his dark act.
Then the butcher raised the meat cleaver high above his head, held it aloft for no more than the briefest of moments, and brought it slamming down on the bloodless, fleshless severed limb that was the focus of his dark act.
Then he did it again.
He did it again – and again, again, and then again.
Read more + Photos
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### ODT Online Mon, 22 Dec 2014
Shy pixies hide out on Taieri
By David Loughrey
A little-known Pixie Town display has emerged on the Taieri, restored by a retired Woodside resident fascinated by the historic children’s attraction. Ray and Eve Beardsmore bought their Pixie Town at an auction in 1999, and Mr Beardsmore said it had taken three months’ work ”daylight to dusk” to repair. The couple contacted the Otago Daily Times to draw attention to a version of Pixie Town they said was unique. And with a nudist colony and a school caning scene, it certainly is.
Read more + Photos