Bands, floats and more lead the way for the Jolly Old Elf.
By
Amelia Hanks
| 7:53 a.m. December 2, 2018
Sarasota
Neighbors
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The holiday parade brought out an estimated 30,000 people on Dec. 1, shutting down several streets but bringing in lots of holiday cheer.
From Big Cat Habitat to the Booker High School band, it seems like everyone in Sarasota was there to see Santa Claus, who brought up the rear of the parade with Mrs. Claus. This is the 23rd year Downtown Sarasota Holiday Parade has run, and the first parade of the holiday season in Sarasota.
Santa and Mrs. Claus are always the last float on the parade.
Sarasota High School's Olivia Marquis and James Smith dances with the rest of their school theater group in the parade.
Cheyenne Griffin and Luna Holcomb
Leann Arnold and Caleb Stanton decorate the Observer Media Group float for the parade.
Dark Side Comics' Kim Diep and Seneca Rose
Stage Door Studio's Grinch, Sue Patchett, Lisa Broadwater, Brooklyn Athridge, Jill Athridge, AJ Athridge and Mark Athridge
Sailor Circus' Emily O'Neill strikes a pose before the floats begin to move.
Dark Side Comics' Anne Tole and Jim Tole
Kirsten Kemt
Stephan Flores, Stephanie Flores, Jennifer Flores, Jorge Flores and Isaiah Flores
The bands from different schools lined up before the parade starts
Chick-Fil-A's Katelyn Moeckel poses with the cows.
The floats were extravagantly decorated this year, like this one from Jump Dance Company.
Shirley Brown, Maddie Perrotta and Jordan Carpenter
Liz Alpert and Jim Barber
Willie Charles Shaw, city commissioner, waves to people along the parade route.
Shelli Freeland Eddie, city commissioner, is one of many politicians along the parade route.
Smokey Bear reminds people only we can prevent fires.
County Commissioner Christian Ziegler give the crowd a thumbs-up.
