Christmas trees and hanging baskets bring festive feel to Hastings CBD

The installation of Christmas trees and hanging baskets in Hastings CBD will ensure the festive season gets off to a colourful start.

Five Christmas trees are to be installed in the fountain in the CBD and will be illuminated at night. The trees will be complimented by the traditional lamp post decorations which have been refreshed with new tinsel and are set to be erected over the next couple of weeks.

Chairman of Hastings District Council’s Civic Pride committee Councillor Kevin Watkins says “The Christmas trees will bring a festive mood to the city centre. This year we have embarked on the first stage of our efforts which will bring colour and excitement to the CBD during the Christmas period.”

Councillor Sandra Hazlehurst says “Christmas is a time when parents, grandparents and children flock to the city to do buy presents for family and friends. It is important that the CBD looks its best at this time of the year and the Christmas trees along with the lamp post decorations and hanging baskets will give the street a real festive feel.”

Mrs Hazlehurst says “The trees have a contemporary look and have been created by Ross Mackay Design at Whakatu. They will be a fantastic addition to the city’s art collection and will ensure Hastings CBD is a wonderful part of the regional Christmas experience.”

Funding for the installation of the Christmas trees has been provided by Hastings District Council, the Landmarks Trust and the Hastings City Business Association. The lights on the trees will be switched on from Wednesday December 7th.

Adding to the colour of Christmas are the traditional hanging baskets for which Hastings has become renowned. 413 baskets are now hanging from the shop verandahs in Hastings CBD while 40 are to be placed in the Flaxmere and Mahora shopping centres in the next few weeks. The baskets are planted with impatiens (busy lizzies) and are complimented in Hastings CBD, by 1066 troughs which are planted with cascading, perennial petunias in pink white and purple.

Hastings City Business Association General Manager Jane Janes says HCBA was pleased to contribute to the Christmas trees which will add to the Christmas festive feel in the CBD. “The vibrancy of our CBD particularly at this special time of the year is paramount and it is exciting we have added to the existing Christmas decorations. Residents and visitors alike can enjoy these Christmas trees which add to the already loved hanging baskets at this time of the year.”