Siesta Key Oyster Bar co-founder Geno Pedigo, and Zach Steffen, prepare to ride out.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Siesta Key
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With everything kids could be doing, there's heavy competition for the Siesta Key Holiday Parade, said Mary Lynn Desjarlais, president of the Siesta Key Kiwanis Club.
Additionally, Riverview High School, Pine View School, Suncoast Polytechnical High School, and one student from Braden River High School represented four key clubs from local schools, alongside club members.
"For us to have as many kids as we have, it's always exciting, and it's a nice parade," she said. "It's like a local community parade. That's what Kiwanis is about. We serve the children of our community."
The Siesta Key Holiday Parade, held Nov. 29, by the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce, and was preceded by a meet-and-greet with Santa Claus at the Chamber of Commerce's Visitor Center.
Although it featured many local businesses, the Seiner family, including residents Becky and Henry Seiner, also represented the family side.
The parade has become a tradition since the couple, along with their daughter Bailey Seiner and some of her friends, entered it in their convertible in 2019, buying decorations including palm trees.
"Last year, we handed out 1,500 candy canes and ran out at the end, so there's a lot of people, a lot of kids," said Henry Seiner.
Santa Claus sits with Giacomo Echeverria, 3.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Tilly Stokes, 5, holds a sand dollar she painted at the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Marlyn Carlburg, 5, talks with Santa.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Griffin Palmer, 3, and Galena Palmer, 7, color sand dollars.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Kristina Seeley, Kayla King, 5, Kianna Stepina, 9 months, and Anton Stepina dressed in matching outffits.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Richard Benoit, 5, Samuel Benoit, 3, and Caroline Benoit, 7, meet Santa Claus.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Katelyn Baranski and her sister Dara Baranski, and Fiori walked with Gecko's.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Mick Woolerton, his fiancée Bailey Seiner, her parents Becky and Henry Seiner, and their grandson Archie Seiner, 1, were together for the parade, while the car's new bubble machine entertained Archie Seiner.
Photo by Ian Swaby
The Kiwanis Club of Siesta Key brought together students from local schools to take part in the parade.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Hosting Santa Claus were Addison Dooley, 11, Chelsea Dooley, David Janes, Sally Janes, John Dooley, Sailor Fleming, 11, Jordan Fleming, Sawyer Fleming, 12, and Eric Fleming, founder of the law offices of Eric C. Fleming.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Becky and Henry Seiner make their way along the parade route.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Juliet Perry, Kelly Hollingsworth and Paige Houser prepare to ride with Siesta Key Oyster Bar.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Santa Claus poses with Siesta Photobomber Larry Frankel.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Deb and Wade Wiitala make their way along the parade route.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Siesta Key residents Dave and Tricia Kessel enjoyed watching the parade.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Hunter, Julie, and Nickolas Mechigian represent Siesta Charters, walking with pups Maui and Largo.
Photo by Ian Swaby
The gecko rides along atop the vehicle of Gecko's Grill & Pub.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Kate Hopen, 7, Anna Hopen, 2, Leo Hopen, 4, John Hopen, 5, Mo Tribedi, 3, and Aayan Tribedi, 5, await candy along the parade route.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Vehicles make their way along the parade route.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Otto Vallee, 8, welcomes parade participants with candy.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Santa Claus arrives.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Courtney Bada watches as Cienna Bada, 1, picks up some of the candy left behind.
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.
