Ashburton Santa Parade at Risk | Christchurch News

The Ashburton Santa Parade, a cherished 14-year tradition, is on the brink of cancellation due to a crippling funding shortfall from the local council — a mere $1,500 less than needed this year. Organizer Carol Johns, who relies on grants and a tireless team of volunteers — including her own family — has weathered tight budgets before, but this year’s blow includes unexpected costs like a rebuilt Kiddie Train and a debt-collected permit fee, leaving her personally out thousands. While the council acknowledges the parade’s value and rising event costs — especially traffic management — they’re constrained by oversubscribed grant funds. With July’s deadline looming, there’s still time to save the parade — if the community and council can find a way to make it happen. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/a156699aa14beae7