Adelaide Christmas Pageant

Snow White float in the 2004 Pageant.

The Adelaide Christmas Pageant is a parade held annually in the South Australian capital of Adelaide. It is the largest event of its kind in the world, attracting crowds of over 400,000 and televised to millions more.^{[citation needed]} Recognised as a heritage icon,^[1] the pageant is a state institution and is sponsored by six local credit unions.

Beginning in 1933 as the John Martin's Christmas Pageant, the event is staged in early November every year, usually on a Saturday morning. It comprises a procession of 75 sets and 1,700 volunteers, including 57 floats, 15 bands, 164 clowns, dancing groups, and walking performers, all culminating in the arrival of Father Christmas.^[2]

The pageant takes place in the Adelaide city centre, along a 3.35 kilometre route which commences on King William Street at South Terrace, and concludes on North Terrace, wherefrom Father Christmas proceeds to the Magic Cave, originally in the John Martin's building, and now in the rebuilt David Jones building on the same site. (The route was changed slightly for 2007).

History

The Adelaide Christmas Pageant was founded by Sir Edward Hayward, owner of the Adelaide department store John Martin's, who was inspired by the Toronto Santa Claus Parade and Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.^[3] He opened the first pageant on 18 November 1933 at the height of the Great Depression. It was a success; running for around 40 minutes with just 8 floats and 3 bands, it attracted 200,000 spectators.^[4] Father Christmas was introduced in 1934 and tradition of the pageant finishing at the Magic Cave (itself created in 1905) was established.^[5]

During the war years of 1941-1944, the pageant was in abeyance. It was restored in 1945. By 1969, the event had grown significantly, with attendances reaching 500,000 and television broadcasting commencing.^[4] In 1979, the largest induction of new floats took place, with 16 joining the pageant.^[5]

In 1985, John Martin's was acquired by David Jones Limited, who continued the pageant under the John Martin's name. However, with the collapse of the Adelaide Steamship Group (of which David Jones was a significant member), and the public float of the David Jones retailing arm, in the mid 1990s the South Australian Government acquired the event. It sought sponsorship from the South Australian business community, and in 1996 sold the naming rights to the six South Australian Credit Unions: Australian Central, Savings & Loans^[6], Community CPS^[7], PowerState^[8], Satisfac^[9] and the Police Credit Union.^[4] Today, the pageant is managed by Events South Australia,^[10] a division of the South Australian Tourism Commission.

The route was slightly changed for the 2007 Pageant.^[11] In 2008 there was a Guinness world record attempt for the longest and largest mexican wave, but it failed.

In 2010 the spectators broke the record for the largest group of carol singers singing Christmas carols at the same time. They set a record of over 9,100 carol singers, breaking the previous record of 7,541 set in the USA.^[12]

Broadcast

The Pageant is broadcast officially by NWS-9, the local affiliate of the Nine Network. For many years the broadcast was carried separately by both SAS-7 and ABS-2.

Commentators and Presenters in recent years have included:

• 2005: Rob Kelvin and Georgina McGuinness, with Mark Bickley and Lisa McAskill.
• 2006: Rob Kelvin and Georgina McGuinness, with Mark Bickley and Lisa McAskill.
• 2007: Georgina McGuinness and Kym Dillon, with Mark Bickley and Lisa McAskill.
• 2008: Kelly Nestor and Brenton Ragless, with Georgina McGuinness, Mark Bickley and Kate Collins.
• 2009: Brenton Ragless and Kate Collins, with Kelly Nestor and Jason 'Snowey' Carter.

References

1. ^ "BankSA Heritage Items List". National Trust of South Australia. 2006-10-20. Archived from the original on 2006-08-25. http://web.archive.org/web/20060825040435/http://www.nationaltrustsa.org.au/heritage_icons_2006.htm. Retrieved 2006-10-20. 
2. ^ "Pageant Trivia". Credit Union Christmas Pageant. http://www.cupageant.com.au/aboutthepageant/pageanttrivia. Retrieved 2010-08-25. 
3. ^ Sly, David (2004-10-29). "Spirit of Johnnies lives on". The Adelaide Review. http://www.adelaidereview.com.au/archives/2004_10_29/history_story1.shtml. Retrieved 2006-10-16. 
4. ^ ^{a b c} "Adelaide's First Pageant". Credit Union Christmas Pageant. 2006-10-20. http://www.cupageant.com.au/history_first_pageant.php. Retrieved 2006-10-20. ^{[dead link]}
5. ^ ^{a b} "Credit Union Pageant Tradition". Credit Union Christmas Pageant. 2006-10-20. Archived from the original on 2007-03-06. http://web.archive.org/web/20070306222018/http://www.cupageant.com.au/history_cu_pageant_tradition.php. Retrieved 2006-10-20. 
6. ^ Christmas Pageant, Savings & Loans Credit Union
7. ^ Credit Union Christmas Pageant, Community CPS Credit Union
8. ^ Christmas Pageant competition, PowerState Credit Union
9. ^ About the Christmas Pageant, Satisfac Credit Union
10. ^ The people behind the Credit Union Christmas Pageant, cupageant.com.au
11. ^ Route Map, Official Site (cupageant.com.au)
12. ^ Credit Union Christmas Pageant breaks into world-record books, www.adelaidenow.com.au

External links

• Official website