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13 Nov 07Santa Cruises Into Poole
Santa Claus will be welcomed to Poole in the annual Santa Parade extravaganza on Sunday 18 November, to take up residence in the new Dolphin Shopping Centre 
magical house Grotto.
The Parade promises to be one of the best yet, with everyone from the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra to the star of the Lighthouse's Aladdin, Michael Greco, and Steve Power from Wave 105 flocking to the Quay to welcome the merry man to Poole.
Starting at 10am, the fun and excitement will begin to mount on the Quay as the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra Brass Section strike up on the Band Stand to entertain the crowds and wait for Santa's arrival courtesy of Poole Lifeboat at 10.30am.
Joining Santa on the RNLI Lifeboat will be the stars of the Lighthouse's Aladdin pantomime production, Michael Greco and Lee Otway, plus Wave 105's Steve Power. Flanked by a jet-skiing stunt snowman and penguin, Santa will arrive at the Fish Shambles Steps, by the Band Stand. After greeting the thousands of children that are sure to line the Quay, Santa will start his journey to the Dolphin Shopping Centre in a Tuc Tuc (Ricksaw), alongside his celebrity friends at 10.45am.
With Christmas carols and popular songs filling the air, the Dolphin Marching Band will lead Santa on his special journey down the High Street, stopping on the way to spread some Christmas cheer. Santa will also be joined by the Dorset Youth Band , with stilt walkers and majorettes, the Lighthouse Dancing Team and cheerleaders all in tow. Hospital Radio Bedside will also be joining in the fun, even the Bournemouth Mini Club will be coming along for the ride.
Santa's long journey from Lapland will finally come to an end when he arrives at the Dolphin Shopping Centre to officially open his new magical house Grotto at 12pm. Join Steve Power in Falkland Square to wave Santa onto his final destination, with lots of fun and games for all to enjoy. Santa will then be in residence throughout the day and until Christmas Eve, to meet all of the children and find out if everyone has been naughty or nice.
The Dolphin Shopping Centre has commissioned the expert services of the Poole Town Centre Management team to stage the 2007 Santa Parade. Poole Town Centre Manager, Gaynor Forryan, said: "Welcoming Santa to Poole is a very exciting time for us and, this year in particular, we have had a lot of fun planning and organising his arrival. I think that everyone will have a wonderful fun-packed time."
Dolphin Shopping Centre Manager, Jerry Stampfer, added: "We are delighted to welcome Santa back to Poole and the new Dolphin Shopping Centre Grotto. Poole TCM has done a great job in organising this special event, which enables the whole town to work together and create a memorable day for the children. I know Santa is looking forward to his annual visit to Poole and to meeting all of the children."
The Dolphin Shopping Centre Grotto is open from 12pm to 4pm on Sunday 18 November, then 10.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm on Saturdays, and from 11am to 4pm on Sundays. To help lighten the Christmas load, the Dolphin Shopping Centre will be opening late nights on Thursdays from 22 November, with stores open 9am until 9pm. In celebration of the return of Thursday late night shopping, the Grotto will stay open until 8.30pm. Please note there may be queuing at busy times.
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