Christmas Pageant Wrap-up and Gallery

Streets People Love Hobart enjoyed their first entry in to the City of Hobart Christmas Pageant this year. Our goal was to bring together a big group of diverse people to demonstrate the many low impact personal transport modes that are available to use in and around Hobart. This turned out to be quite a lofty goal, but we covered a few, including:
1. walking
2. skateboard
3. electric skateboard
4. city bike
5. electric trike
6. long tail cargo bike
7. front-loader bike (bakfiets)
8. rollerblades

Participating in the Christmas Pageant is quite an undertaking and our members using accessibility devices did not feel up to the task. We did spend 3 hours in the street on quite a sunny day. Hopefully next year we can better facilitate users of accessibility devices joining us.

The entry in to the pageant was organised by Michael Sumner, Penelope Clark and Mark Donnellon, plus some art construction from Heidi Gill. When we signed up for the pageant, we thought we were just getting some people together with some Christmas garb and decorations, but the Christmas pageant's amazing Lead Artist, Naomi Marantelli had other ideas. Naomi took notice of our platypus mascot Perci and went to work acquiring a 4.5m long platypus lantern that had long been in storage. Over a couple of weekends, Naomi, another CoH staff member and multiple SPLH volunteers assembled and decorated the huge platypus, ready for an amazing display in the Christmas pageant! The display was also accompanied by sticks with blue coloured tassel representing water and a very detailed shrimp on a stick that the platypus would eagerly chase through the streets.

A few days before the event, Andy Gall from ABC Radio Hobart invited me to the council depot for a sneak peek at the pageant artworks. Standing in the shed surrounded by all the pageant paraphernalia, we chatted about Streets People Love Hobart's origins. I explained how the organisation came together almost a year ago, coinciding with the council's proposed changes to Collins Street. We brought together keen advocates to push for the best outcome for walking, wheeling, and riding around the city.

Andy was impressed by the 4.5m long Perci, wrapped in rice paper and decorations, noting it would need four people to carry it through the streets. We also discussed the significance of the platypus mascot, particularly the recent work to improve platypus habitat closer to the CBD, including improvements to the Hobart Rivulet. The conversation captured the connection between our advocacy for better urban spaces and the natural environment we share with our iconic monotreme.

On the day, 31 participants (21 adults and 10 children) gathered at the corner of Collins Street and Market Place, creating a colourful spectacle of decorated bikes, skateboards, and festive creativity. The atmosphere was electric from the start. With a brass band marching behind us and the giant Perci leading the way, participants quickly got swept up in the party vibe. The crowds along the route were brilliant, especially the kids who loved seeing other children on bikes and cargo bikes. Our participants handed out high fives and cheerful "Merry Christmases" all along the route, creating exactly the kind of joyful community connection we'd hoped for.

The feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive. Parents noted how much their children loved the interaction with spectators, while others appreciated the chance to showcase alternatives to car transport in such a celebratory setting. The trike riders particularly enjoyed showing off how accessible and fun cycling can be. Participants praised the sustainability focus (no tinsel!), the quality t-shirts, and the helpful decorating tips provided beforehand. The giant platypus was a massive hit, both as a centrepiece for our entry and as a talking point with the crowd.

We were thrilled to be named Runner-up for Best Community Entry by judges Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds, Myer Hobart Store Manager Kathy Kelly, and Hobart Children's Mayor Noah Dobson. Out of 50 entries in the pageant, this recognition for our first year was unexpected and incredibly encouraging. It validated our message that active transport isn't just about getting from A to B, it's about community, celebration, and reimagining how we use our streets.

We also learned valuable lessons for next year. Better coordination for banner-carrying, staged arrival times for families with young children, and more decorating workshops are all on the list for 2026. We'll also take some cues from expert float handlers for next year to make carrying the giant Perci even smoother.

After the pageant, participants, spectators and other SPLH members met at Hobart Brewing Co. for a great drink and a debrief. It was a great opportunity to catch up but also to get to know the people joining us for their first event with Streets People Love Hobart. I'm very thankful to those new people that joined in and hope to see you again soon!