Waimate Christmas in the Streets a huge success

An amazing team of volunteers from the Waimate Chrismas in the Square group came together to provide an alternative event to bring the joy of Christmas to the people of Waimate.

For two nights they travelled the streets of Waimate on the back of a truck with their band, and singers - plus they had busy volunteers handing out Christmas Cake and other treats to those watching along the way.

The community feedback has been incredible and it was lovely to see such an innovative and fun way to spread the Christmas spirit - how blessed are we to have such incredible volunteers in our community.

Throughout the two nights songs were also live streamed on the Waimate Christmas In The Square facebook page - which was popular for people who couldn’t see it in person and was viewed from around the world.

The organisers posted the following message on their facebook page:

What a phenomenal 2 nights.

Firstly a huge thank you to our volunteers who gave up time for; practice, cake cutting and massive walking/running chasing the truck! Our drivers, musos, singers, walkers and runners are fabulous.

Thank you to all of you who came out to you gates, out to the ends of your streets, jumped in your cars to find us when you didn’t live on the route! Your smiles, and singing along made the effort so worth while! Thank you for the donation offers, but this one we did hoping for only smiles in return, we have many great community initiatives which you are encouraged to support in the heart of ‘paying it forward’.

We are sorry we were unable to drive every street, but hopefully you were able to catch a glimpse or sound along the way.

Merry Christmas Waimate from the Christmas in the Square team!

And the community feedback has been amazing:

Fantastic evening listening to the sing from the truck well done Waimate folk. What a great town we live in - Gaynor

Thank you so much for a fab evening, it was terrific, the music was great and you certainly brought some Christmas joy into our lives. Well done to you all . A safe and happy Christmas is wished to you and your team. Merry Christmas Waimate, a fab place to make our home, thanks again all - Ann

It was great to see people popping into the street, we certainly enjoyed the evening. Thank you all for the Christmas spirt. - Ruth

It was so so special - just loved it Thank you so much - Karyn

Well done to everyone involved to make this happen yas all done an amazing job well done - Kirsten

Well done everyone!!!! It was awesome - Christina

What a fantastic kind loving district we have merry Christmas - Lynette

Thank you for blessing the town. It was a great chance for us to catch up with neighbours as well as hearing the carols. Well done team. - Susan

Thank you everyone involved, it was very moving and beautiful, on a lovely warm evening. Especially lovely for the older generation on our street to see/hear as would never go to Omron the Park. Merry Christmas! - Margaret

Superb effort team, thanks to all for a great evening celebrating the true spirit of Christmas - Murray

Awesome effort to you people involved,and to the public that came out to respond to it all,couldnt have got better weather,merryxmas everyone. - Carol & Eric

So much enjoyed the sing and wonderful people thankyou so much - Maureen

It was such a beautiful thing to do thankyou to all involved have a very merry Christmas and a prosperous new year - Ruth

Loved it! - Cathy

Have loved hearing you touring the streets with your music the last two nights. Thank you to all the volunteers involved, and great singers and band. Well done everyone. - Lynne

I am enjoying watching you on My phone down here in Oamaru. Well done everyone - Carolyn