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The Sarasota Holiday Parade Brightens Up Everyone's Face!
Saturday, December 5, 2009
The Sarasota Holiday Parade takes place in downtown Sarasota. Traditionally held on the first Saturday of December at 7 p.m, Sarasota’s Holiday Parade started in 1974 and has become one of the largest and best holiday parades along the Sun Coast.
The parade, which attracts some 25,000 observers, fills the air with the sights, sounds, spirit and magic of the holiday season for those in attendance, whether young or old! It's a heart-warming experience to see the twinkle in the eyes of those who are young and young at heart.
Downtown Sarasota’s Main Street is blocked off to traffic and lined with up to about 25,000 viewers watching the parade under the city street lights with usually warm temperatures (mid 70s), warm hearts and “eyes all aglow!”
There are also thousands of participants and brightly decorated floats, several live marching bands playing songs of the season and parade entries from school and community organizations as well as area businesses all helping to add a little more ho-ho-ho to the season. Attend the Sarasota Holiday Parade just once and you'll find out why it's one of the most popular annual "must-dos" on my Sarasota Calendar of Events.
One of the nicer floats is a rolling Santa’s workshop from which toys in the workshop are donated to needy children of the area.
Some of the groups represented in the parade range from 4-H Clubs to Cattleman’s groups, to the Shriners, antique car collecting clubs and many others all getting into the spirit of the season.
The guest of honor, Santa Claus, "rounds" out the parade and its annual finale along with an appearance by Mrs. Claus too.
The Sarasota Downtown Holiday Parade route traditionally runs west along Main Street from Washington Boulevard and then heads out to Gulfstream Avenue. The parade lasts about two hours.The streets on the parade route are blocked off to normal traffic a couple of hours in advance.
Parade viewers are welcome to bring blankets to toss over the curbside to sit on and lawn chairs as well. Parking is available downtown on streets and in lots other than those closed for the parade route. It’s best to arrive about an hour early to find parking and a nice spot along the parade route from which to view the festivities.
Happy Holidays to you! (No matter what time of year you're reading this. After all, we could all use a little more holiday spirit throughout the year!)
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