A new Santa in a brand-new outfit will be appearing in the annual Tropical Christmas in Raro programme which aims to bring joy to the faces of the children and light up the island for Christmas.

The season of giving and sharing the wonders of Christmas is coming around the corner and the Tropical Christmas in Raro committee is in full swing finetuning events and activities for a wonderful festive programme to bring delight to our children.

Tropical Christmas committee member, Maru Apera, the Matson agent Excil Shipping’s general manager, said more volunteers are needed to help make the festive activities magical.

“We are on the lookout for enthusiastic individuals to wear the colourful Disney characters costumes,” she said. They include Shrek or Fiona, the mischievous Minion, the timeless magic of Mickey and Minnie, or the frosty charm of Elsa and Ana.

“Volunteers in the Disney costumes will be well taken care of and will have no need to walk the full stretch of the float parade as all the Disney Characters will be escorted (driven) through town on cute little trucks.”

Vodafone will kick off the Tropical Christmas events this Friday starting with their Christmas sale and promotions.

On Saturday, the Santa on Tour will start from 8.30am – 11.30am from the CITC Supermarket to the Punanga Nui Market and through town.

On Thursday next week, the Santa Parade will start at 4.30pm through town and around the roundabout.

The CC Tamure girls will be dancing in the float parade, and the Pacific Games 9s gold medallist team will be marching as well.

Apera said they would like more teams, groups and floats to join in the parade.

The float parade will be followed by “Late Night Shopping” at the CITC Mainstore Avarua and Vodafone.

On December 8, Vodafone’s Techmas Day will be held from 8.30am to 4pm, and the ANZ Bank Blue Day will feature a Santa photo corner and lollie stations. The best dressed will receive spot prizes.

The popular Kīnura Music Festival will be held on Sunday, December 10 at Te Are Karioi (National Auditorium). Doors will open at 6pm.

The Island Craft “Bonanza Sale” is happening on December 13 and the BSP Green Day on December 15 with lucky dip stations and free ice cream vouchers from 1pm to 2pm, followed by Santa on Tour from 8.30am – 11.30am on December 16.

The Vonnia’s Mainstore Avarua and Dive Surf Sports shop will have their late-night shopping and Christmas specials until 8pm on December 20.

The Bond Store will open for their late-night shopping and Christmas specials on December 21, 22 and 23, until 7pm. CITC Liquor will open for their late-night shopping and Christmas specials on December 22 and 23 until 6pm.

Apera is thankful to all the sponsors who are supporting and contributing towards the Tropical Christmas in Raro event.

“We are very fortunate to have the three banks ANZ, BSP and BCI on board this year,” she said.