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Holiday cheer goes on parade in Sarasota

Sarasota residents were invited to come one, come all to Sarasota's circus-themed holiday parade on Dec. 2.


  • By Anna Brugmann
  • | 10:50 a.m. December 3, 2017
  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • Share

The holidays can be a production of sorts — the parties, the travel, the rush of it all. But downtown organizers put on a holiday production of a different sort on Dec. 2, paying homage to Sarasota's circus tradition with its annual holiday parade. 

Sarasota dignitaries led the procession down Main Street followed by a host of circus-themed floats and performers. 

Maddie Perrotta poses with her grandmother, Sarasota County School Board member Shirley Brown.
Maddie Perrotta poses with her grandmother, Sarasota County School Board member Shirley Brown.
Jennifer Carvalho, Nevaeh Crews and Terri Klauber wait for the parade to begin on the Make-A-Wish float.
Jennifer Carvalho, Nevaeh Crews and Terri Klauber wait for the parade to begin on the Make-A-Wish float.
Amber Kennedy and Audra Deehr pose in front of the Make-A-Wish float before the Sarasota Holiday Parade.
Amber Kennedy and Audra Deehr pose in front of the Make-A-Wish float before the Sarasota Holiday Parade.
Abigail Altier, Laura Adams and Kathy Jones of Florida Studio Theater pose in the staging area the downtown Sarasota holiday parade.
Abigail Altier, Laura Adams and Kathy Jones of Florida Studio Theater pose in the staging area the downtown Sarasota holiday parade.
Renata Rodrigues
Renata Rodrigues
Adalae Gamso waits to participate in the annual downtown Sarasota holiday parade.
Adalae Gamso waits to participate in the annual downtown Sarasota holiday parade.
Bodhi Kirschner, City Commissioner Jennifer Ahearn-Koch and Selby Kirschner
Bodhi Kirschner, City Commissioner Jennifer Ahearn-Koch and Selby Kirschner
Jeremiah Harvey, Mayor Shelli Freeland-Eddie and Simon Harvey
Jeremiah Harvey, Mayor Shelli Freeland-Eddie and Simon Harvey
Jeremiah Harvey, Mayor Shelli Freeland-Eddie and Simon Harvey ride in the annual Sarasota holiday parade.
Jeremiah Harvey, Mayor Shelli Freeland-Eddie and Simon Harvey ride in the annual Sarasota holiday parade.
Bodhi Kirschner, City Commissioner Jennifer Ahearn-Koch and Selby Kirschner ride in the annual downtoan Sarasota holiday parade.
Bodhi Kirschner, City Commissioner Jennifer Ahearn-Koch and Selby Kirschner ride in the annual downtoan Sarasota holiday parade.
Sarasota City Commissioner Willie Charles Shaw waves at onlookers during the annual downtown Sarasota holiday parade.
Sarasota City Commissioner Willie Charles Shaw waves at onlookers during the annual downtown Sarasota holiday parade.
Sarasota County School Board Chair Bridget Ziegler rides with her daughter, Reagan Ziegler, in the downtown Sarasota holiday parade.
Sarasota County School Board Chair Bridget Ziegler rides with her daughter, Reagan Ziegler, in the downtown Sarasota holiday parade.
LaNorma Fox and Willie Edleston, who appeared in the film
LaNorma Fox and Willie Edleston, who appeared in the film "The Greatest Show on Earth," ride in the downtown Sarasota holiday parade.
The Venice High School marches in the downtown Sarasota holiday parade.
The Venice High School marches in the downtown Sarasota holiday parade.
Circus Arts Conservatory Co-founders Pedro Reis and Dolly Jacobs ride in the downtown Sarasota holiday parade.
Circus Arts Conservatory Co-founders Pedro Reis and Dolly Jacobs ride in the downtown Sarasota holiday parade.
The circus-themed parade started at the intersection of Main Street and U.S. 301 and ended at Gulfstream Avenue.
The circus-themed parade started at the intersection of Main Street and U.S. 301 and ended at Gulfstream Avenue.
Bello Nock waves at spectators from his perch atop a float in the downtown Sarasota holiday parade.
Bello Nock waves at spectators from his perch atop a float in the downtown Sarasota holiday parade.
Anya, Brad and Owen Schultz
Anya, Brad and Owen Schultz
Girl Scout troop 192 marches in the downtown Sarasota holiday parade.
Girl Scout troop 192 marches in the downtown Sarasota holiday parade.
Members of Bay Haven Elementary School's Broadway Club pose with their banner before marching in the downtown Sarasota holiday parade.
Members of Bay Haven Elementary School's Broadway Club pose with their banner before marching in the downtown Sarasota holiday parade.
Ivan Munoz
Ivan Munoz

 

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