‘Tis the season: National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant unveils two new floats with ticket ballot registrations set to open in the coming weeks
Today, National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant unveiled a first look at its two new, locally designed, full-scale floats at Adelaide Oval: Izzy the Dinosaur and Summer Holiday presented by Jayco Adelaide.
The unveiling coincided with the event announcing that ballot registrations will officially open on Friday 29 October at 10am.
For the first time in its history, National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant partnered with South Australian Living Artists (SALA) to find a new artist to design a float, in a new Pageant initiative that aims to showcase and uncover local artists.
Renowned sculptor and local artist Dave Clarke won the SALA Festival 2021 float design competition and is the creator of Izzy the Dinosaur. Mr Clarke, who has worked with the likes of Damien Hirst, and on blockbuster movie Mortal Kombat, said his float design is a nod to all things ‘the age of the dinosaurs.’
“The design has taken me more than 20 weeks to design, sculpt, build, mechanic and paint, with full production taking place at Stardust Castle with the help of the Pageant team. It’s a full-scale, jaw dropping float complete with baby T-Rexs and National Pharmacies community members dressed as cave men and women,” said Mr Clarke.
“I’m humbled to make my debut working with the National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant team this year thanks to the SALA competition and National Pharmacies for getting my work on the team’s radar. I know how much children are in awe of dinosaurs and look forward to seeing all of their reactions on pageant night.”
National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant second float, Summer Holiday presented by Jayco Adelaide, was designed by John Barone who has been part of the Christmas Pageant for 38 years, including a milestone 15 years as a Workshop Supervisor this year.
“I wanted to build a float that reflects Christmas time in South Australia. In my opinion, Christmas caravanners are the essence of summer, and with more people holidaying in their home states this year it seemed fitting. Of course, we’ve added in a few more Christmas lights to make it even more spectacular,” Mr Barone said.
National Pharmacies CEO, Vito Borrello, was excited to see the new floats revealed this morning and knows the community will be pleased with the latest additions.
“It was a fantastic moment seeing the floats revealed today at the Adelaide Oval ahead of the spectacular event on 13 November. We know how much this event means to the community, and we’re thrilled that our dedicated and passionate members and staff at National Pharmacies will step into their roles and do these new floats and the designers proud,” Mr Borrello said.
Jayco Adelaide has become a valued partner for this year’s festivities, taking on presenting rights to Summer Holiday, with Jayco Adelaide Marketing Manager, Jade Walsh, praising the design of the float which hits home for the local business.
“Jayco Adelaide is thrilled to support the National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant’s Summer Holiday float. The Summer Holiday float is a fantastic way to promote regional tourism and support holidaying in the many great destinations this state has to offer,” Mr Walsh said.
As South Australia’s ‘night of nights’ draws closer, pageant lovers are invited to register for up to five free general public tickets through Ticketek with registration open on Friday 29 October from 10am until Sunday 31 October at 10pm.
Pageant Director, Brian Gilbertson was delighted to reveal the ballot opening date and said this year’s event will feature a stellar line-up of entertainment for the whole family.
“We have been working around the clock to ensure the ticket registration process is fair and remains free for our National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant community. Make sure you save the dates to enter the ballot, we expect tickets will be hot property this year,” Mr Gilbertson said.
Gilbertson praised SA Health and SAPOL for all their hard work as the National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant edges closer and said the safety of pageant attendees is a priority.
“The Events South Australia team will continue to work closely with SA Health and SAPOL to ensure we have an approved COVID Management Plan in place and we look forward to revealing final ticket and attendance numbers ahead of the ballot opening,” Mr Gilbertson said.
