Santa Claus returns to Siesta Key Holiday Parade

The 36th annual Light Up Siesta Key and Village Holiday Parade was held Nov. 27.

  • By Harry Sayer
  • | 7:50 a.m. November 28, 2021
  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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Throngs of visitors to Siesta Key gathered on Ocean Boulevard for the return of the Siesta Key Holiday Parade on Nov. 27. 

The parade — led by Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce staff and volunteers — featured local businesses and groups marching from Avenida del Mare through the Village on Ocean Boulevard with all the Christmas cheer one could want. Candy was tossed to families from parade cars while other parade participants dressed up in classic Christmas characters.

The night was also notable in that the village's Christmas tree was lit for visitors to admire and take photos with.  The Pine View Jazz Band was also on hand to play Christmas tunes. 

Santa Claus himself finished the parade and rode into the Siesta Key Village to raucous applause and cheers from the assembled crowd. 

Santa Claus waves to enormous cheers and applause.
Santa Claus waves to enormous cheers and applause.
Madison Barrett, Gabe Constanzo and Iliana Tice
Madison Barrett, Gabe Constanzo and Iliana Tice
Olga, Emma and Rich Pazik
Olga, Emma and Rich Pazik
Carla Geiser and Patricia Romig
Carla Geiser and Patricia Romig
Harper and Avery Hoover
Harper and Avery Hoover
Mike, Andrea and Aaron Prytulak
Mike, Andrea and Aaron Prytulak
Bianca and Marko Tonljenovic
Bianca and Marko Tonljenovic
Chamber volunteer Michael Netkovick helped lead the parade.
Chamber volunteer Michael Netkovick helped lead the parade.
Eva McDonald walks along.
Eva McDonald walks along.
Faith Holliday and Isabelle Mullin stroll along.
Faith Holliday and Isabelle Mullin stroll along.
Groups decorate boats in cheery Christmas stylings.
Groups decorate boats in cheery Christmas stylings.
Groups decorate boats in cheery Christmas stylings.
Groups decorate boats in cheery Christmas stylings.
Groups decorate boats in cheery Christmas stylings.
Groups decorate boats in cheery Christmas stylings.
Samantha Lemmer represents Siesta Key Oyster Bar.
Samantha Lemmer represents Siesta Key Oyster Bar.
Pierry Ramirez
Pierry Ramirez
Reed Longenbach waves from a car.
Reed Longenbach waves from a car.
Groups decorate boats in cheery Christmas stylings.
Groups decorate boats in cheery Christmas stylings.
Mikayla Medeiros dresses up like a Dr. Seuss character.
Mikayla Medeiros dresses up like a Dr. Seuss character.
The Grinch himself joins the parade.
The Grinch himself joins the parade.
Santa Claus waves to enormous cheers and applause.
Santa Claus waves to enormous cheers and applause.
Santa Claus waves to enormous cheers and applause.
Santa Claus waves to enormous cheers and applause.
Andrea Loredo poses with the tree.
Andrea Loredo poses with the tree.
The night also had the village's tree being lit up.
The night also had the village's tree being lit up.
Ryan and Charlotte Day with Santa Claus.
Ryan and Charlotte Day with Santa Claus.

 

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