• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Downtown Sarasota parade spreads holiday cheer

Residents line Main Street in anticipation of seeing Santa Claus and holiday floats.


  • By Amanda Morales
  • | 11:01 a.m. December 6, 2015
  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • Share

Families cheered as floats and bands made their way down Main Street for the 20th annual Downtown Sarasota Holiday Parade Saturday, Dec. 6. 

Parade honors

Mayor’s Trophy: Sailor Circus Arts Conservatory

Best Commercial: Walt’s Fish Market
Runners-Up: Chick-Fil A and Harbor Community Bank

Best Holiday Theme: Survivors In Sync
Runners-Up: Sarasota Ski-A-Rees and WSLR Radio

Best School: Sarasota High School Theatre Department

Best Non-Profit Organization: Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida
Runner-Up: Sahib Shriners 

Best Performing Group: Stage Door Studios
 
Best Church Group:
Shining Light Church 
Runners-Up: Suncoast Community Church; Pine Shores Presbyterian Church. 
                  
Best Walking Group: Riverview High School Kiltie Band
Runner-up: Bradenton Twirling Academy
                   
Best Animal Group: Vintage Paws
Runner-Up: Cat Depot 

Performance groups, community organizations and bands were decked for the holidays. Some danced down Main Street while others rode along on floats tossing candy down to children. It was the man in the red suit, Santa Claus that children clamored to see. 

Sarah Barg from the Circus Arts Conservatory dangles in midair above the 20th annual Downtown Sarasota Holiday Parade.
Sarah Barg from the Circus Arts Conservatory dangles in midair above the 20th annual Downtown Sarasota Holiday Parade.
Dancers from ReFlex Arts made their way down Main Street with music.
Dancers from ReFlex Arts made their way down Main Street with music.
Brothers Aaron and Christopher Patterson in awe of the lights and parade floats.
Brothers Aaron and Christopher Patterson in awe of the lights and parade floats.
Children and families aboard the AROX Santa Claus float.
Children and families aboard the AROX Santa Claus float.
The group from Sarasota In Defense of Animals walked in the parade.
The group from Sarasota In Defense of Animals walked in the parade.
Suncoast Community Church members wave to the crowd.
Suncoast Community Church members wave to the crowd.
Summer Conway and Jessica Banks each with their daughters Ariel Conway and Ava Banks
Summer Conway and Jessica Banks each with their daughters Ariel Conway and Ava Banks
Members of the Sahib Shriners.
Members of the Sahib Shriners.
Santa Claus was the final arrival in the 20th annual Downtown Sarasota Holiday Parade.
Santa Claus was the final arrival in the 20th annual Downtown Sarasota Holiday Parade.
Siena Hartzell of Circus Arts Conservatory.
Siena Hartzell of Circus Arts Conservatory.
Members of Shining Light Church sang along the parade route.
Members of Shining Light Church sang along the parade route.
Sarasota High School Theatre performed during the parade to preview the upcoming musical production of
Sarasota High School Theatre performed during the parade to preview the upcoming musical production of "White Christmas."
Jean Neurohr with Jelly Bean the pug.
Jean Neurohr with Jelly Bean the pug.
Kassi Sands with Tank and Boo
Kassi Sands with Tank and Boo
Children and families aboard the AROX Santa Claus float.
Children and families aboard the AROX Santa Claus float.
A float with goats followed the Big Cat Habitat group.
A float with goats followed the Big Cat Habitat group.
A group of members of the Sahib Shriners road along in their icon miniature cars.
A group of members of the Sahib Shriners road along in their icon miniature cars.
The group from the Greyhound Advancement Center with their  friends and an honorary greyhound.
The group from the Greyhound Advancement Center with their friends and an honorary greyhound.
A Siberian tiger from Big Cat Habitat looks out to parade goers.
A Siberian tiger from Big Cat Habitat looks out to parade goers.
Members of the Riverview High School Kiltie Band.
Members of the Riverview High School Kiltie Band.
Jose Correa leads the color guard team from Booker High School in a warmup.
Jose Correa leads the color guard team from Booker High School in a warmup.
Parade Marshal Paul Thorpe rides along at the end of the parade.
Parade Marshal Paul Thorpe rides along at the end of the parade.
Dancers from ReFlex Arts made their way down Main Street with music.
Dancers from ReFlex Arts made their way down Main Street with music.
Bambi Famous,Cookie Baldwin and Angela Long lead rowers from Survivors In Sync before the start of the parade.
Bambi Famous,Cookie Baldwin and Angela Long lead rowers from Survivors In Sync before the start of the parade.
Performers from Sarasota Ski-A-Rees Water Ski Show Team towered over parade goers.
Performers from Sarasota Ski-A-Rees Water Ski Show Team towered over parade goers.
Performers from Sarasota Ski-A-Rees Water Ski Show Team Naddie Ashbury, Jenn Guttieri and Becca Root tower over parade goers.
Performers from Sarasota Ski-A-Rees Water Ski Show Team Naddie Ashbury, Jenn Guttieri and Becca Root tower over parade goers.

 

Latest News

Sarasota Police on Monday recovered a sunken, capsized boat from Hudson Bayou that had been swamped for more than three years.
  • December 6, 2025
Long-abandoned boat removed by Sarasota Police
Sarasota City Attorney Joe Polzak and City Auditor and Clerk Shayla Griggs during a meeting of the Sarasota City Commission.
  • December 5, 2025
Sarasota charter official evaluations begin this month
You'd better watch out: Tow-away zones set for Sarasota holiday parade
  • December 4, 2025
You'd better watch out: Tow-away zones set for Sarasota holiday parade
A satellite image of Hurricane Irma.
  • December 4, 2025
Hurricane season ends without Florida landfall

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content

The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in Neighbors

Students from Sarasota High School's marching band walk in the parade.
  • December 7, 2025
Sarasota's spirit goes on display in the holiday parade
Debi and Mike O'Leary take a look at the tree.
  • December 6, 2025
Sarasota annual tree lighting takes place at Selby Five Points
A rendering of Florida Studio Theatre's McGillicuddy Arts Plaza.
  • December 6, 2025
Florida Studio Theatre receives anonymous $1 million gift
The moon shines between a pair of "Florida Reindeer."
  • December 4, 2025
Holiday display at Selby Gardens boasts over 2 million lights
Shane Rawley poses for a photo on Dec. 2 at Shaner's Pizzeria with his three published books. From left: "A February Thaw: A Peter Cobb Adventure," "January Freeze: A Peter Cobb Adventure" and "Peter Cobb: Three Strikes You're Out."
  • December 4, 2025
Former MLB pitcher and local pizzeria owner is an author
Laura Oliff-Maxey and Barbara Braun
  • December 4, 2025
Mothers Helping Mothers strengthens its toy drive effort

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2025 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now