The Ellesmere Echo

18/12/2025

From the Ellesmere Echo, we would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year.
Thank you for your amazing support, written contributions and stories during 2025.
The office is closed from the 18th December until the 12th January. The first deadline is the 16th January 2026

10/11/2025

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26/10/2025

🎁 Leeston Santa Parade is Coming ...

🎄 The countdown is on! The 46th Annual Leeston Santa Parade is coming Friday, 5 December!

Get ready for an evening full of festive fun:
✨ Free children’s entertainment — bouncy castles, pony rides, petting zoo & face painting
✨ The Leeston Physio Santa Dash 🏃‍♂️🎅
✨ Free photos with Santa 📸
✨ Free prize draw 🎁
✨ Fee Lolly Scramble
✨ And ...... the Movie in the Park – How the Grinch Stole Christmas starring Jim Carrey! 🍿

Save the date, gather your whānau, and follow this page for more surprises!

Road closed from 5pm onwards.

23/10/2025

🎅 The countdown is ON! The 46th Leeston Santa Parade is coming Friday, 5 December 🎄

✨ 5.00pm Fun starts
🏃‍♂️ 5.30pm Leeston Physio Santa Dash
🎉 6.30pm Santa Parade
🎁 7.30pm Free prize draw, lolly scramble & photos with Santa after the parade
🎬 8.00pm Movie in the Park: How the Grinch Stole Christmas

PLUS free children’s entertainment — bouncy castles, face painting, pony rides & petting zoo 🐴

A night of completely free family fun — because Christmas in Ellesmere is about community ❤️

23/10/2025

✨ Calling all crafters! ✨

We still have a few spots left for craft stalls at the 46th Annual Leeston Santa Parade on Friday, 5 December!

If you create something special — handmade gifts, festive treats, or unique crafts — this is your chance to showcase it to thousands of locals.

🎁 A great way to kick off your Christmas sales and be part of an unforgettable community night!

Register now before spaces fill:
👉 https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/0e6a80920285468394698d6cf8841607

20/10/2025

12/08/2025

🎉 Need a Popcorn Machine for your next event? 🍿

Ellesmere Promotions Trust is now renting out our commercial Popcorn Machine – perfect for school fairs, fundraisers, birthdays, and community events!

👉 Rental is just $100 per day, which includes a $50 bond. The bond will be refunded if the machine is returned clean, undamaged, and on time.

✨ It’s easy to use and great fun to watch – kids love seeing the popcorn pop!
➡️ Makes 250g of popcorn every 2 minutes (just 1 cup of kernels, a little oil, and butter is all you need).

📅 Fill out the request form here:
🔗 https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/a9d9dceca1c648d6b2e06784fb117d37

✅ We will respond to all requests within 48 hours.
🧾 A GST invoice will be sent for payment – please don’t pay anyone unless it comes directly from us.

Let the popping begin! 🎈

30/07/2025