Thousands celebrate city’s 150th birthday
Gorgeous weather graced the city late last month as tens of thousands of people visited Cathedral Square to celebrate Christchurch's 150th birthday in style. The following day a church service at Christ Church Cathedral and a Civic luncheon were also well attended.
At the party there were bands, buskers, clowns, a bouncy castle and a 150m-long carrot cake for the residents of Christchurch made by Divine Cakes and Desserts — which by all accounts was very tasty indeed.
One hundred and fifty return flights to Australia were also given away by Air New Zealand and Freedom Air to lucky recipients that had dressed up as their favourite thing about Christchurch.
Christchurch Mayor Garry Moore was one of those in attendance to celebrate the festivities. "I want to say a big thank you to all who attended these very important celebrations for the city." he said. "The people of Christchurch had a wonderful weekend and the support for the birthday party was simply amazing. The huge numbers of kids leaving Cathedral Square clutching their piece of birthday cake was fantastic to see. The entertainment and the atmosphere was second-to-none and the whole centre of town was buzzing."
"As well, the church service was spiritually uplifting and the lunch was just terrific. Both the church and the state put on great events for the citizens of this city."
Christchurch awoke on its birthday to a sea of red and black, with many statues, bridges and buildings throughout the city dressed in red and black ribbons.
Christchurch officially became New Zealand's first city when Queen Victoria signed the Letters Patent, or Royal Charter, on 31 July 1856. It was signed so that Christchurch could be the base for a bishop. On Christmas Day, 1856, Henry John Chitty Harper was enthroned as the first Bishop of Christchurch, which means this year is also the 150th anniversary of the city’s Anglican Diocese.
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