Santa and his friends come to town

THE 2013 Myer Hobart Christmas Pageant kicked off the holiday season with a bang, filling the CBD with colourful and festive cheer.

More that 10,000 people attended the annual event, which saw Peppa Pig and Santa Claus star as the special guests along with 59 pageant entries.

Myer Hobart store manager Peter Monachetti said he was thrilled to continue the store’s long-standing association with Tasmania’s biggest Christmas parade.

“Myer is proud to be involved in such a hugely popular Christmas tradition,” he said.

“[The pageant] is an important event for our community and brings happiness to Tasmanian families – especially as we welcome Santa to the Myer Murray Street Store, which will be his home until Christmas Eve,” he said.

Organising committee chairman Sue Hickey said the pageant was a much anticipated event on Hobart’s Christmas calendar.

“The annual parade signals the start of the Christmas season, which is important for our community and city traders preparing for Christmas and the following sales,” she said.

“The Myer Hobart Christmas Pageant is also remarkable for the huge numbers of people drawn to the city and the commitment of people who take part and spend, in some cases, hundreds of hours preparing special floats.”

At the conclusion of the parade Myer Hobart provided free activities including Christmas crafts, Santa meet and greets, face painting and entertainment.

The parade was supported by Myer Hobart, The Mercury, 7HOFM and Southern Cross Television.

 Myer Hobart Christmas Pageant 2013 Award winners:

Best Entry of the Pageant: Holy Tantra Esoteric Buddhism 

Best Community Group: Hobart-Yaizu Sister City Committee

Best Band: Australian Army Band Tasmania

Best Dance Group: Claremont Emeralds Cheerleading

Best Costumed Group: TUU Digital and Visual Popular Culture Society

Best Children’s Group: Bravehearts inc.

Best School Group: Richmond Primary School

Best Business Group: The Faerie Shop

Lord Mayor’s Award: Hobart City Churches