Christmas came early to Te Horo Beach’s Dixie St Park, on Sunday the 23rd, when over 70 residents celebrated the inaugural ‘Christmas in the Park’ party, put on by the Friends of Te Horo residents group.
In keeping with the town’s unique beach style, Santa arrived on a red quad bike laden with presents and managed to eventually get everyone chasing the quad for lolly scrambles. The afternoon’s events started with adults and kiddies sack races, sprints and bullrush organised by party organiser and local resident, Louise Dench of ‘Stressless Functions’.
Te Horo turned on fantastic weather and picnicing families soon filled the shady spots under the trees of the Dixie St reserve. “We hope this will be the first of many,” said Ms Dench, ” To get over 30 local children here today just goes to show how fast the township is growing.” Five years ago only three children caught the school bus from here, nowadays the bus is full.
The Christmas party might have drawn a big crowd by Te Horo standards, but residents have been amazed by the unprecedented number of families who have arrived to stay the summer holidays at Te Horo beach since boxing day. It is starting to look like every free front lawn is now a tent site. It’s very colourful and so reminiscent of the 1960’s. The beach has virtually become a state highway with so many cyclists, strollers, dogs, and horse riders all enjoying the perfect balmy and hot weather and great swimming this special corner of the Kāpiti Coast has to offer.