Terrapin to bring Christmas magic to Hobart

ACCLAIMED Tasmanian puppetry company Terrapin will help bring this year’s Myer City of Hobart Christmas Pageant to life after being named lead artist for the popular event.
The 44th annual pageant will take over the Hobart CBD on Saturday 21 November, marking the start of the festive season and attracting an expected crowd of more than 30,000 people.
Terrapin will work alongside the City of Hobart and participating community groups through creative workshops, helping them develop colourful and imaginative floats for the parade.
The company is also creating a brand-new puppet especially for this year’s pageant.
For more than 40 years Terrapin has entertained audiences through contemporary puppetry, giant roving puppets, interactive installations and innovative theatre works presented across Tasmania, Australia and internationally.
Hobart Mayor Anna Reynolds said Terrapin would bring something special to one of the city’s most enduring events.
“The Myer City of Hobart Christmas Pageant is one of our city’s most loved and enduring events, bringing together tens of thousands of people to celebrate the start of the festive season,” she said.
“Terrapin is a globally recognised Tasmanian arts organisation with an extraordinary ability to spark imagination and create memorable experiences for audiences of all ages.
“We’re excited to see how Terrapin’s creativity helps community groups develop vibrant and engaging entries, and we can’t wait to unveil a spectacular new puppet at this year’s pageant.”
Terrapin artistic director Sam Routledge said being involved in the pageant fulfilled a long-held ambition for the company.
“It’s been a long-held dream for Terrapin to be synonymous with Christmas in Hobart,” he said.
“What we love about the Myer City of Hobart Christmas Pageant is that it’s meeting people where they are.
“It’s the arts at its most approachable: free, outdoors, and made side by side with the community.
“Let the silly season begin.”
The City of Hobart is also inviting community groups, creatives, performers, schools, clubs, organisations and community-focused businesses to apply to participate in this year’s parade.
Mayor Reynolds said the pageant provided an opportunity for participants to share their creativity, culture and festive spirit with thousands of spectators.
“The pageant is a wonderful showcase of the people and organisations that make our community so vibrant,” she said.
“Whether you’re a school, sporting club, arts group, community organisation or local business, we encourage you to be part of this iconic Hobart tradition.”
Expressions of Interest are open until Monday 7 September.