• 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

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

 

Latest News

Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
  • December 21, 2025
SMH participates in global bladder cancer treatment clinical trial
Evidence discovered in the home of 33-year-old Demond L. Smith who was arrested by Sarasota police on multiple charges.
  • December 20, 2025
Repeat felon faces charges in Sarasota drug bust
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
  • December 19, 2025
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
District 5 representative Ron Cutsinger will be the 2026 chairman of the Sarasota County Commission.
  • December 19, 2025
Sarasota County commissioners pick chair, vice chair

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

The home at 2834 Browning Street featured countless decorations and animated figures.
  • December 18, 2025
Sarasota homes light up for the holidays
Osprey play an important role in local ecosystems, and they seek out high perches on either designated nesting perches or, as in this case, power poles.
  • December 18, 2025
Ospreys get a home renovation
Emily Chana, 10, rehearses the swinging trapeze.
  • December 17, 2025
Sailor Circus Academy students prepare for 'Winter’s Dream' show
Sixth grader Stella Schechter holds up a finished craft for David Stone.
  • December 16, 2025
Emanu-El students celebrate Hanukkah with Aviva Senior Living residents
Kindergartener Santiago Perez checks out the crochet items.
  • December 16, 2025
Holiday House SRQ now serves a fifth school, but holiday shopping costs rise
Zac Boone, 6, showcases his crystals.
  • December 15, 2025
Children's Entrepreneur Market offers kids business experience

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