The Sarasota Holiday Parade brings out the young and young at heart...

The Sarasota Holiday Parade

Saturday December 6, 2008

This parade brightens up everyone's face!

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 1996 and has become one of the largest and best holiday parades along the Sun Coast.

The parade 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.

Sarasota Downtown Holiday Parade

Downtown Sarasota’s Main Street is blocked off to traffic and lined with thousands of viewers watching the parade under the city street lights with usually warm temperatures (mid 70s), warm hearts and “eyes all aglow!”

The annual kick off of the Sarasota Holiday Parade

Sarasota Holiday Parade on Main Street

There are 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.

A string light Christmas Tree at the Sarasota Holiday Parade

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.

Sarasota Holiday Parade Float Santas Workshop

The Sarasota Holiday Parade on Main Street

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.

Live music at the Sarasota Holiday Parade in downtown Sarasota Florida

The guest of honor, Santa Claus, "rounds" out the parade and its annual finale along with an appearance by Mrs. Claus too.

Santa Claus in the Sarasota Holiday Parade

The Sarasota Downtown Holiday Parade route traditionally runs west along Main Street from Washington Boulevard and then heads out to Gulfstream Avenue. The streets on the parade route are blocked off to normal traffic a couple of hours in advance.

Santa in his sleigh at the Sarasota Holiday Parade

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.

Santa on Main Street at the Sarasota Holiday Parade

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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