SANTA CLAUS? and Mrs. Clause delight the crowd as they wave from the last float in the parade during the 32nd annual Christmas Parade in downtown Lakeland on Thursday night.
MICHAEL WILSON | THE LEDGER
Published: Thursday, December 6, 2012 at 11:49 p.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, December 6, 2012 at 11:49 p.m.
LAKELAND | For the past 10 years Judy Anderson has parked her RV on Lake Street the morning before Lakeland's annual Christmas parade and fireworks show.
"I came a couple of times and then my family started asking me to save them seats," Anderson said. "So I started bringing the RV down and setting up chairs."
Since then, Anderson and her family have spent every parade day cooking out, even providing food for many members of local law enforcement.
"Hot dogs and hot chocolate, that's what it's about," Anderson said. "It's a celebration of happiness and family; it's a tradition for us."
Anderson is just one of the thousands of locals who lined the streets of downtown Lakeland on Thursday night as the 32nd annual Christmas parade rolled by. For many, has become a staple of the holiday season.
"It's great seeing all the kids lined up on the streets for the parade," Ricky Shirah said as he worked on the Kathleen Historical Society float Thursday afternoon. "That's what it's all about."
Lauren Tresson, assistant co-chair of the Junior League of Greater Lakeland, said this year's parade had 114 floats, slightly more than last year's parade.
Among the parade newcomers were Deborah Matthews and the Hog Wild 4-H Club she leads, a Lakeland-based 50-plus member club that farms and raises cattle, among other activities.
"We've talked about being in the parade every year since we started," Matthews said, laughing. "This year we didn't forget to submit the application."
Hog Wild President Stephanie Keebel, 15, says the parade means a lot more to her than just a good time.
"We are doing it to show people that we need farmers or we won't survive," she said.
Another float parading for the first time this year represented The Otherside Lawn and Ornamental Pest Control. Owner Shawn Herrington of Lakeland said that participating in the parade is an important move for his business.
"It's a good way to get some free advertising," Herrington said. "Plus it's just cool and a festive thing to do."
Rather than build their own float, Samira's Belly Dance opted to rent one out for their fourth year in the parade.
"We rent the float ? we're the decoration," owner Samira Silver said with a smile. "We love this parade. The people on the route are incredible; all of them screaming, it gives you chills."
Born and raised in Lakeland, 24-year-old Stephan Ritter was among the thousands of screaming parade-goers. Ritter grew up going to the Christmas parade with his family.
"It's nostalgic for me," Ritter said. "It reminds me of when I was a kid, when my whole family would come out together."
Ten-year-old Tristan Nestor came with his family to see his cousin on the St. Paul Lutheran float, but he says that's not the best part of the parade.
"The end of the parade is the most awesome," Tristan said, fiddling with a glowing necklace. "Seeing Santa come by on his sleigh; that's what brings out the real meaning of Christmas."
This year's award winners were: Judges Choice, Medulla Baptist Church; Best Professional Float, Watson Clinic; Most Outstanding Band, Lakeland High School Dreadnaught Band; Best Theme Float, Saint Joseph's Academy; Most Original, Santa Fe Catholic High School; Best Youth Educational Float, Valleyview Elementary; Best Business Float, End Results Salon and Spa.
Source: http://www.theledger.com/article/20121206/ent/121209467
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