With the whirl of the helicopter blades adding to an already stiff breeze, aerialist Erendira Wallenda hung hundreds of feet over the Mall at UTC on Saturday, providing thrills to the thousands below.
And as she hung upside down from a metal ring, more than a few hearts had to be beating faster, hoping for a safe landing in the lead-up to the Santa's Grand Arrival Parade at the Mall at UTC on Nov. 9 in Sarasota.
With Wallenda safely inside, and her husband, Nik Wallenda, waving from the door of the helicopter, the 50-foot Christmas tree on Cattlemen Drive was lit, and the holiday season had officially begun.
The parade followed with floats, musicians and dancers lighting up the faces of the children in attendance. The parade was capped by a fireworks show and a concert from pop and country singer Cassadee Pope.
What would the Santa's Grand Arrival Parade be without Santa and Mrs. Claus arriving at the Mall at University Town Center?
Photo by Jay Heater
Lakewood Ranch's Rylynn and Delany Morehart find themselves between a couple of cool characters during the Santa's Grand Arrival Parade at the Mall of UTC Saturday.
Photo by Jay Heater
DJ Sarah Masters has some fun behind Manatee County Commissioner Mike Rahn and Sarasota County Commissioner Teresa Mast, who served as parade judges.
Photo by Jay Heater
Lakewood Ranch 3-year-old Adrianna Rivas is having a great time at the Santa's Grand Arrival Parade on the shoulders of her dad William Rivas.
Photo by Jay Heater
If you are the Big Cat Habitat, you've got to pick someone to ride a tiger on your float.
Photo by Jay Heater
The Circus Arts Conservatory float again was a highlight of the Santa's Grand Arrival Parade.
Photo by Jay Heater
Venice's Christine and Robert Stesney prove that it's not just kids who love a parade as they visit with the Grinch.
Photo by Jay Heater
David Jones and Meredith Michaels of 107.9 WSRZ radio enjoy their role as masters of ceremonies at the 2024 Santa's Grand Arrival Parade at the Mall at UTC in Sarasota.
Photo by Jay Heater
Blaze of Hope appeared with its float in the Santa's Grand Arrival Parade.
Photo by Jay Heater
The Aloha Party Experts know how to do a float.
Photo by Jay Heater
Mote CEO Michael Crosby floated into the Santa's Grand Arrival Parade.
Photo by Jay Heater
Cindy Lou Who gives a hug to Bradenton's Renee Cryan before the Santa's Grand Arrival Parade.
Photo by Jay Heater
Lakewood Ranch's Alexandra Vassilev, Anastasia Vassilev and Anna Petrovic, try to brighten the Grinch's day at the Santa's Grand Arrival Parade. The Grinch is Kingsley Sim.
Photo by Jay Heater
Brianna and Kaylee Casablanca, and Aubrielle Deaugustinis have their light sticks ready for the start of the parade.
Photo by Jay Heater
Sarasota's Shantel Norman, who sang the National Anthem at the event, has a little fun with one of the characters.
Photo by Jay Heater
Erendira Wallenda rode in the Santa's Grand Arrival Parade after performing some amazing acrobatic stunts while hanging below a helicopter that hovered over the parade site.
Photo by Jay Heater
Pop and country singer Cassadee Pope kept the night rocking after the Santa's Grand Arrival Parade.
Photo by Jay Heater
It was a night for dance at the Santa's Grand Arrival Parade at the Mall at UTC.
Photo by Jay Heater
Benderson Development's Todd Mathis presents Operation Warrior Resolution CEO Kendra Simpkins with a check for $10,000 to honor veterans before the Santa's Grand Arrival Parade.
Photo by Jay Heater
The holiday season lights at UTC flashed after the Santa's Grand Arrival Parade along with a fireworks show.
Photo by Jay Heater
Yes, it was snowing (fake flakes) in Sarasota before the Cassadee Pope concert following the Santa's Grand Arrival Parade.
Photo by Jay Heater
The Sarasota Military Academy Middle School Eagle Regiment kicked off the parade.
Photo by Jay Heater
The Riverview High School Kiltie Band was a hit at the Santa's Grand Arrival Parade.
Photo by Jay Heater
DJ Sarah Masters kept the holiday music flowing at the Santa's Grand Arrival Parade.
Photo by Jay Heater
Bradenton's Sheila Correa brings 1-year-old Roxana Correa to her first Santa's Grand Arrival Parade.
Jay Heater is the managing editor of the East County Observer. Overall, he has been in the business more than 41 years, 26 spent at the Contra Costa Times in the San Francisco Bay area as a sportswriter covering college football and basketball, boxing and horse racing.
