Yuletide season is officially underway today in east Auckland with the annual shopping and entertainment extravaganza the Christmas Fair in Howick Village.
The Howick Local Board’s event, the switching-on of the Christmas Lights on the tree at Stockade Hill, also happens this evening from 6-9pm, Friday, November 15.
Special in-store Christmas sales promotions start as soon as the shops “open from 9am and continue throughout the day”, says the Howick Village Association (HVA).
Formerly known as Midnight Madness, the Howick Village Christmas Fair is recognised as an ideal opportunity for people to get their Christmas shopping started.
As well as all the retail deals and culinary delights on offer at the village’s many hospitality venues, cafes and eateries, the Christmas Fair is known for its excellent selection of outdoor entertainment.
That all runs from 5.30pm to 9.30pm on the main stage at the intersection of Uxbridge Road and Picton Street, with PA speakers playing the music and entertainment along the street.
The HVA says “a large number of community information stands will also be joining us”.
They include Cockle Bay Residents and Ratepayers Association, Pest Free Howick, Howick Coastguard, Times Media, Manna Manukau, the Rotary Club of Howick, New Zealand Fire and Emergency, the Inner Wheel Club of Howick who’ll be selling Christmas puddings, the Lions Club of Howick who’ll be selling Christmas cakes, Howick Pakuranga Community Patrol, and the Polish Heritage Museum.
“The wonderful Manukau Concert Band and Pakuranga Choral Society will be performing Christmas music and carols, and there’ll also be performances from singer-songwriter Sarah Van Zyl, Uxbridge’s Zumba Gold, Howick Line Dancers, and our own Auckland Guitar School,” says the HVA.
MC for the Christmas Fair is East FM’s Phil Dark, while saxophonist Bruce French will be playing outside 101 Home on Cook Street.
“Children’s entertainment in Fencible Park includes a Ferris wheel and laughing clown trailer, while there’ll be train rides in the Moore Street area, and the Howick Brass Band performs in the park area,” says the HVA.
“The teams from the Polish Heritage Museum and Saint Kentigern College’s Pipe Band will be roaming during the event.
“Our Lady Star of the Sea Church Youth will be providing face-painting for the children outside the church in Picton Street near the New Zealand Fire and Emergency fire truck.”
Event information and first aid paramedics will be situated in the area outside The Good Home / Prospect of Howick, while the East FM broadcast caravan is the official “lost children” point outside Wild Wheat next to Fencible Park.
“The Auckland Food Truck Collective will also be engaging a number of varied food vendors for the length of Picton Street and providing tables and chairs for our community,’ says the HVA.
“And of course our iconic Howick Village Markets will be in full swing.”
