When the fire truck siren starts ringing all of Tairua's children will be singing because here comes Santa Claus this Saturday.

For nearly two-decades Santa on the Pepe has brought joy to children and parents, and this year will be no different, says Santa's little helper and Tairua Information Centre manager Lynette Dey.

This Saturday jolly ol' St Nick will be down at The Pepe Reserve in Tairua for the annual Santa at the Pepe event. Photo: Tairua Information Centre

'Santa on the Pepe is one of the highlights of the year because it brings a smile to everyone's face, it's a load of fun, says Lynette. 'For me, I really look forward to it.”

'This has been a long standing event in Tairua over many years now and I reckon just about every kid in town and from other places comes down.

'We haven't changed the formula much over the years, though we do have a seat for Santa now and that makes it much easier.”

Lynette says they are kicking off the summer with Santa and Saturday's free festivities will be the first of many events to be run by the information centre these holidays.

Rudolph and friends will be given the day off, so Santa and his elves will ride the 10am ferry from Tairua to Pauanui, where a crowd of children will be waiting for him to arrive about 10.30am.

From Pauanui he'll then travel back to Tairua with the children and once back on dry land he'll be popping his rosy cheeks into the Tairua Aged Care centre on Tui Rd, says Lynette.

'Santa then hitches a lift on a fire truck to the Pepe Reserve which is in the centre of town right on our harbour, which is where we have his Grotto and where he meets all the kids.

'When the fire truck drives over the Pepe Bridge with the siren blaring in front of all the waiting kids, it's pretty exciting to see.”

Lynette says along with Santa he'll be joined by special guest Presto the Magic Clown, who'll be performing tricks, cracking jokes and creating balloon animals for children.

On Saturday there will also be a host of silly games for the children, plus Christmas stalls, raffles, plus a sausage sizzle.

There's also a children's competition for the boy or girl who decorates their bike or scooter the best, she says.

'Once Santa's done he'll then take a stroll up the main street spreading good cheer and lollies to everyone who's around.”

Then in the evening families can bring a picnic and a blanket to the Pepe Reserve for a night of singing with the combined churches and musicians from the Troubadours and the Music Club.

Lynette is expecting another big turnout and is giving a big thank you to the Tairua community for its support over the year.

'The Tairua Information Centre is a community organisation, so the support of our community makes this event and others that we run over the summer possible.

'We're a little town doing it for ourselves which I think is brilliant,” says Lynette.

Santa on the Pepe takes place at The Pepe Reserve, 220 Main Road, Tairua, this Saturday, December 13, from 10am to 12pm.

For more information about this free event contact the Tairua Information Centre on 07-864-7575 or email [email protected]