Second time is a charm for High Springs' holiday parade

Photos by BETSY THOMASON/special to Alachua County Today

The High Springs Historical Society participated in the rescheduled parade.

 HIGH SPRINGS – After the first attempt was met with unfavorable weather, High Springs residents were fortunate enough to have warmer temperatures and no rain for their second attempt to hold their High Springs Chamber of Commerce Annual Twilight Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec. 21.

The parade began promptly at 6 p.m. with Police Chief Steve Holley taking the lead.

Because of the last minute date change due to inclement weather the previous week, some of the 42 original participants were unable to paricipate.

“With drop-outs and add-ins, the parade ended up with 34 participants this year,” said Betsy Thomason, chamber event coordinator. “We were just pleased it didn’t rain and we had so many people lining the streets to see the parade.”

Mayor Byran Williams and city commissioners all rode on golf carts provided by Camp Kulaqua. Additional participants included the North Florida Antique Tractor Club, the High Springs Bicycle Motocross Racing Group, the High Springs Historical Society, Cowboy Church and other clubs and civic organizations in the area.

The special guest of honor every year is Santa Claus, who was seen near the front of the parade this time in a Polaris, donated for the evening by TH Building Group. After the parade ended near Railroad Avenue, Santa visited with boys and girls to find out what they each wanted for Christmas this year.

Serving as the parade grand marshal was Gloria James, 2013 High Springs Citizen of the Year. The parade began at the corner of Northwest 2nd Avenue and U.S. Highway 441 and proceeded east to Main Street. The colorfully lit floats, cars, horses and bicycles traveled south along Main Street to Railroad Avenue. Former city attorney Tom DePeter acted as the master of ceremonies and announced each group as they approached the viewing stand. Eyvonne Andrews, the chamber’s economic development coordinator, assisted DePeter as the official spotter.

This year’s parade theme was “A Pioneer Christmas.” Gift certificates to the first, second and third place parade entries were provided by Estate Solutions’s owners Chris Mckee and Roy Hammond. First place went to the Alachua Hare Krishnas in the amount of a $100 gift certificate. Second place went to the High Springs Historical Society Museum in the amount of a $50 gift certificate and third place went to the High Springs BMX Club in the amount of a $25 gift certificate.

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