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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.

 

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