The last day of 2016 saw a huge crowd in Bow Street for another great Raglan Lions New Year’s Eve Parade. Raglan Lions Club members, closely followed by the Raglan Caledonian Pipe band led the parade. First the parade went East, following the usual route of up Bow St, round the palm outside the Town Hall and then down Bow St. down and around Bow Street till both directions were full, then it went round again. 150 people took part in the parade on 25 floats.
The prize winning floats for each theme were:
- Community
- 1st Prize ($250): Enjoy the Raglan fun – Raglan Bill and local families
- 2nd ($150): Raglan Rowing Club
- 3rd ($100): Annexa sheep shearing gang
- Sustainable
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Whaingaroa Forest Fairys – Winner: Sustainable 1st Prize ($250): Whaingaroa Forest Fairys – Look after the forest
- 2nd ($150): Pokemon – 100% upcycled
- 3rd ($100): Starwars – Pete’s Pod Racer – 100% upcycled
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- Educate, Safety
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Eliza Doolittle flower stall supporting the Motor Neurone Association 1st Prize ($250): Eliza Doolittle’s Flower Posies- Motor Neurone
- 2nd ($150): Learn to surf with Raglan Surfing School
- 3rd ($100): Raglan Volunteer Coastguard
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Peter Storey receives the 1st prize for Anything on Wheels in front of his entry – Hippie Happy Sunshine Bike or anything on wheels
- 1st Prize ($100): Happy Hippie Sunshine – Peter & Robyn Storey
- 2nd ($50): Kid powered reindeer on wheels – Red Stag Timber
- 3rd ($25): Evolution of wheels – Ray White Raglan
- Special (Judges Choice) $100: Only one choice – Aotearoa
Chief Judge Virginia Gallagher said she was very impressed by the high standard of the floats entered this year.
Raglan New Year’s Eve Parade is organised by the Raglan Lions Club who fund it with a contribution to the prize money from the Raglan Community Board.
Lions Club President Bob Macleod said he was very pleased with the overall involvement of the community and added, “The Lions Club of Raglan would like to thank all those who have supported this event; Raglan 23, Raglan Community Radio and all who have used the Lions Opportunity Shop, the Lions members and volunteers, thank you. Finally the Lions Club would like to thank Raglan Community Board and the Waikato District Council for its support of this event as they make it happen by providing the prize money and traffic management. The Wardens for their presence within the crowd and the continuing support of the Raglan Pipe Caledonian Band which makes it Raglan’s iconic parade, Thank You.”
THANKS RAGLAN LIONS and RAGLAN COMMUNITY BOARD. And a special thanks to all the entrants.