Murray Bridge Christmas Pageant 19/11/2022
Murray Bridge Christmas Parade-Saturday November 19th 2022
The 2022 Murray Bridge Xmas Parade focussed on returning to previous traditional parades along Bridge Street to Sturt Reserve. This had not been possible over the past two years due to Covid-19 restrictions.
The weather forecast for Saturday afternoon was pretty bleak, with predicted heavy rain and thunderstorms, but thankfully this did not eventuate, and it was fine for the entire event.
Although the number of floats entered in the parade was down in number from pre-Covid years, the event was well attended by the general public.
The Auto Collectors Club entered six vehicles on show for the parade-our 1929 Studebaker, (driven by its previous owner, Roy Bretag) along with his wife Elaine and Liz and myself as passengers. Thanks Roy-you gave us all a thrill with your driving…. the Studebaker has never in the last decade, taken a corner as fast!
Jan Hall entered and drove her 1952 Morris Minor (the red nosed reindeer version), while Bob Hunter in his 1969 MGB, Jeff and Aileen Martin in their 1970 Holden, Bruce and Marcia Eldridge in their 1981 Mercedes Benz and Murray Lutz in his 1962 Buick made up the rest of the “cortege”.
Dave and Rhonda Verrall with their Mini Minor were unfortunately, non-starters due to Dave testing Covid positive and our latest Club member, Jason Day with his EJ Holden couldn’t be there due to his work commitments as an interstate truck driver. (Speedy recovery Dave).
Special thanks go to Goran Yakas and his son Cian, who acted as our Marshalls for the parade-walking, jogging, and controlling any over-zealous children who ran from the crowds to collect sweets and treats that were thrown from our cars. Cian even entertained everyone by performing handstands (and “handstand-walking”) at the front of the cars.
The parade route was along Bridge Street, turning at Sixth Street and Mary Terrace to Sturt Reserve, where we all arrived safely to complete our run-some heading for home, while others stayed on for the festivities and entertainment.
The evening culminated in a spectacular fireworks display at 9:00 p.m.
Thank you to all participants in the 2022 Christmas Parade-for preparing and decorating your cars for this event. It was a great promotion of and for our Club.
Claude Minge
President
