- January 15, 2025
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The final day of hurricane season, Nov. 30, ushered in a new season in Siesta Key: the holiday season.
It was the day of Santa Claus' arrival in the Siesta Key Holiday Parade, which was preceded by a meet-and-greet with Santa at the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce.
Ann Frescura, executive director of the Chamber, which manages the parade, said it had at least 20 entrants this year, which she called "exactly where we need to be."
"It's a nice family tradition that we're very proud to continue here in the village to support the local tourism base, and obviously, the local businesses as well," Frescura said.
After the challenges islanders and businesses have endured, are they ready to embrace the holiday spirit?
While the shops of Siesta Key Village have opened their doors, some residents whose homes can be repaired, still await the chance to return to them.
Christina Chartrand is currently living in a condominium on the island, following stays at multiple locations, and hopes to move back into her home, which had to be "completely gutted," at the end of December.
“I’m not feeling quite the spirit this year,” she said. “I mean we’re not living in our house, we don’t have a tree, our decorations are in a pod, … so I’m feeling a little less festive this year."
She's glad to be back on the Key, at least.
"Were there days that we were like, 'Should we leave or think of another place?' But we love it here," she said.
Her friend Christina Chartrand, with whom she co-owns the small jewelry business Bijoux, did not see flood damage at her home.
“We had a lot of people over for Thanksgiving, and it felt good because we could do it, but at the same time, you feel a little bad, because we know so many people that have had damage and are displaced,” said Chartrand.
"We're ready," said Becky Seiner, regarding the holiday season, as her family prepared to head out as participants in the parade.
She and her husband Henry Seiner moved back into their home in time to welcome their daughter Bailey Seiner and her significant other, Mick Woolerton, during Thanksgiving.
Becky Seiner said the community’s helping hand pulled them through the repairs, which involved fixing drywall and floors.
“Our faith in humanity has been so restored by the people that have reached out to help us, and they've lost everything themselves… It’s just amazing. Amazing," she said.
At Siesta Key Chapel, 15 households suffered significant damage, said Senior Pastor Ruth Smalt.
She can relate to their situation, as her own condominium beside Patriot Pier was entirely washed out. Smalt is currently receiving accommodations from the generosity of community members.
At the church itself, whose campus has since reopened, the surge of Helene brought water and far-reaching mold and mildew to the lower level and its storeroom — yet one box unexpectedly survived.
"By some miracle," she described how new and old beaded Chrismons, Christian symbols, were put away carefully in a sealed plastic bin.
The Chrismons were first made by the women of the chapel 50 years ago, and today's members continue to contribute to the collection.
“I was surprised and delighted, not because of the stuff, but because of the history of the people who have gone before us, many who have passed and the new folks who… have stepped in and become part of those who created something," she said.
Members placed them on the tree during the Dec. 1 service.
She said as the congregation recovers, the presence of a community is key — as when they headed out to sing carols at the parade, under the gazebo, with bystanders often joining in.
“Whether we name it God, Jesus, a Creator, there's something that says, ‘We get to be together and turn our eyes upward and be grateful for coming through. Hope, faith and love,” she said.
Business owners said they are glad to have reopened, even though the number of visitors has yet to return to previous levels.
“It's definitely slower than normal, but everybody got everything rebuilt so quickly, and it's cool to see all these businesses and how they just sprung back open,” said Kelly Leissler, manager of Meaney's Mini Donuts, who said he is "for sure" excited for the season.
“We weren't as busy as we normally are, but you can tell that a lot of people are excited to get out and that we were open again," said Gus Escalera, owner of Ripfire Pizza & BBQ, on Dec. 2, calling himself "totally ready" for the holidays.
Bryce Horn of Siesta Key Fudge Factory, which opened its doors in time for Thanksgiving, said business may be a little slow right now, but he is looking ahead.
He said there is a great demand for candy during the holidays, such as the shop’s popular exotic items like Kit-Kat flavors and Pocky Sticks from Japan.
He said the offering of house-made fudges is more selective than before — at the moment.
“We wanted to open by Thanksgiving, but we want to be full swing, have everything made, everything situated, all of our fudge on display for Christmas, so that’s kind of our goal right now,” he said. “Stay open and start to make things for Christmas.”
Fittingly, he's feeling the holiday vibes.
“It's never cold in Florida, so now that it's a little bit chilly, you start to get that goosebump feeling and get that holiday jump,” he said.
Star Thai and Sushi Siesta Key may have been one of the last restaurants to reopen, but it had also taken the storm damage as an opportunity for a major remodel.
The sushi bar moved out of its private space and integrated with the restaurant, and a stage for karaoke sessions added.
Manager Patikarn "Golf" Pengthong said both sides of the restaurant can now feed off of each other's energy.
“I'm really excited to get this place back up and running at its full capacity and see how this new layout works out when it's peak time for the high season,” he said.
Sometimes, he and other staff will bring out musical instruments — Pengthong is a trumpet player — to serenade visitors for a birthday or special occasion, or add to the ambiance at opportune moments.
“When the moment is right, the crowd gets a little wooey, I'll try to sneak something in that fits the occasion,” he said.
He predicted that this month, people would hear Christmas tunes.
