Community spirit goes on display at Sarasota Holiday Parade

By Ian Swaby
| 10:45 a.m. December 9, 2024

Hans Ocampo, Oliver Ocampo, 2, Yahoira Ocampo and Dominic Ocampo, 4, meet Santa Claus.

Sarasota
Neighbors

The Sarasota Holiday Parade saw the man in the red suit, Santa Claus.

Yet it was also a showcase of Sarasota, with organizations and businesses in the area having the chance to put their community spirit on display.

For instance, Terry Deshaies, riding with The Dark Side - Comics & Games, enjoys dressing as Freddy Mercury and leading the crowds in chants of "Ay-Oh!" each year.

Among the many participants featured were animals from the Humane Society of Sarasota County, talented students from organizations, including Sailor Circus Academy and the giant puppets of CreArte Latino.

Monarch Tom Davie of Samoor Grotto, a Masonic organization that helps special needs children with dental issues, said the parade was important for making the community aware of the organization's presence.

"We've been here quite a number of years, over and over and over again," he said. "They finally recognize who we are. You've got to continue. You can't show up once and not go do it again. We like it. It's our hometown, so why wouldn't we? We're part of the community."

Katlyn Turner of Acro Fit Gymnastics called the parade a "really good team bonding experience" for the organization's young gymnasts.

"We love the holiday parade," she said. "The Sarasota Holiday Parade organization does such an amazing job every year. We have a really good time."

Santa Claus offers gifts to the kids on the Big Cat Habitat float, including Elijah Frey, 8 (second from left).

Members of the Sarasota Ski-A-Rees Water Ski Show Team climb into a pyramid.

Madda Romero, Bella Romero, 6, Jorge Romero and Megha Romero, 2, meet Santa Claus.

Samoor Grotto members Jon and Sandy Lewis, Monarch Tom Davie, Clara Rojas and Debbie Maust

The police prepare to escort the parade.

Tracey Hull of YMCA makes her way along the parade route.

Tasman Henry, a senior with Sailor Circus Academy, was a stilt walker in the parade.

BMX makes its way along the parade route.

Emilia Wilson, 9, and Rocket, walked with the Humane Society of Sarasota Conunty.

José Flores, Norita Sandoval and Alexander Cubillos of CreArte Latino prepare for the parade.

David Bartos, 5, sits in the driver's seat of a fire engine.

Scout Reid, 8, accepts Cupcake the goat, as she sits beside Wyatt Schmidt, 9, and Ashley Schmidt, on the Big Cat Habitat float.

Sarasota High School cheerleaders walk in the parade.

Paul Danko and Terry Deshaies walked with The Dark Side.

author

Ian Swaby

Ian Swaby is the Sarasota neighbors writer for the Observer. Ian is a Florida State University graduate of Editing, Writing, and Media and previously worked in the publishing industry in the Cayman Islands.