There will be plenty of lollies for the kids in the 49th pageant as well as a special guest, Father Christmas.

This year the Port Pirie Combined Service Club’s pageant committee has had to change the route because of the power line work that is happening in Florence Street.

Last year the event started at an earlier time of 11am, but this has been changed back to noonthis year.

Committee president Barry Trevorrow said they had been asked by business people to keep it at noon.

“Last year we dropped it back to 11am and could not get any bands,” he said.

Mr Trevorrow warned that if the number of floats grew to 70 they would be in trouble.

“The route would be too small,” he said.

It is not unusual for the committee to receive late entries.

Mr Trevorrow said he would be hitting panic mode in the last week.

Reception students at St Mark’s Benedict Campus are anxiously waiting for the big day.

The college will enter a nativity scene float in the parade.

Student Sophie Farrugia said the best thing about the pageant was getting to ride on the float.

“I like it when Mary has the baby,” she said.

Fellow student Alycia Fasciano said her favorite thing about Christmas was when Father Christmas brought all the toys.

“I like seeing all the people at the pageant,” she said.

Blair Johns favorite part of the nativity scene is sheep.

“They eat a lot,” he said.

A busy team of organisers is hard at work on the pageant.