Inspired by a long-standing event in Riverton, tinsel-loving Tapanui locals have banded together to bring the West Otago Christmas trail into being along the town’s Whisky Gully this December.
Committee member Jann Robertson said although sometimes it was easy to be cynical about Christmas, she had discovered a renewed love for seasonal celebration on visiting Riverton’s Christmas trail last year.
"To be honest I wasn’t expecting much.
"But I was surprised how much fun it was.
"Riverton has been running its amazing Christmas trail on the Mores Reserve loop for several years now.
"It’s a whole community event where schools and other groups contribute festive elements, making a sort of pixie wonderland for people to walk through."
The West Otago committee had received a seed grant of $550 from the Creative Communities Scheme and, together with donations from enthusiastic locals and businesses, she hoped the event would be self-sustaining.
"We plan to run it from the end of November to the end of December, and perhaps tie it into Tapanui’s many other Christmas events like the Christmas parade, shopping nights and street decorations.
"We’re anticipating it becoming another great reason to visit Tapanui at Christmas."
It was "early days" in planning the project, which would be based on pixie-style doors and other Christmas elements, Mrs Robertson said.
"We’d also like to get local schools, community groups and businesses involved, perhaps setting up their own door which walkers will view as they make their way through the gully."
Children of all ages could drop their Christmas wish lists to Santa in a planned special Christmas post box on the trail.
