Communities roll out Christmas parades

Northwest Florida communities will roll out their holiday spirit and finery with a variety of parades. Here is a roundup in chronological order:

Seaside

The Merchants of Seaside welcome the holidays with events for the entire family. The kick-off will be at the Seaside Farmers Market 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday.

The Annual South Walton Holiday Parade is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. in front of Seagrove Plaza. Participants march 1.5 miles down Scenic Highway 30A decked out in their Christmas best and on festive holiday floats.

Parade participants should meet at the Seagrove Plaza at Garrett Realty no later than 3:15 p.m. with decorated entries. Registration for parade participants is required; visit seasidefl.com/holidayparaderegistration to download a registration form.

The celebration continues with “Turn on the Town” at 5 p.m. With a flick of a giant switch, the 24-foot tree magically lights up and all of downtown Seaside is illuminated with holiday lights.

Have your picture taken with Santa 5:30–8:30 p.m. Grab your blankets and head to the Seaside Amphitheater for a holiday edition of Central Square Cinema under the night sky at 7 p.m. For more information, visit seasidefl.com.

Niceville-Valparaiso

Jump, jive, and be jolly with “A Swinging Christmas on the Bayou” at 10 a.m. Dec. 5 at this year’s annual Community Christmas Parade, sponsored by the Niceville-Valparaiso Rotary Club.

Proceeds provide holiday meals for local Sharing and Caring families and other Rotary community service projects. Contact Christi Moore for details at 685-9667 or Christi_moore@cox.net.

Destin Harbor

The first Holiday on the Harbor Christmas Parade takes place at 2 p.m. Dec. 5 and will be led by the Toy Land Train. The parade starts at the Destin Fishing Fleet docks adjacent to HarborWalk Charters/Marina and makes its way down the harbor and through the crowds at the village.

Kids are encouraged to dress like their favorite Christmas character from elves to snowmen. All kids can make their own ornament for the HarborWalk Village Christmas tree.

The community-based parade is open to the public and will accept entries that roll, float, pedal, and push. Proceeds benefit Destin Harvest, a local hunger relief agency.

Entries for the event will participate in a contest with awards going to the top entries. Entry fee is $10 and all participants are encouraged to donate a non-perishable food items to benefit Destin Harvest. For an entry form visit the Web site harborwalkdestin.com.

Navarre

Navarre’s annual “Christmas in the Park” parade and celebration, sponsored by the Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, will be held 3–8 p.m. Dec. 5 at Navarre Park at the foot of the Navarre Bridge.

This year’s event will kick-off with a community Christmas parade that will start at 3 p.m. from Winn Dixie, snake through neighborhood streets along the north side of Navarre Parkway (not along the highway) and end at Vision Bank.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive by fire truck in the parade and will be available for photos with children 3:30–6:30 p.m. Visits are free, photos are $2 each. The Grinch will also make his way into the park and will take pictures with the kids who dare to greet him.

Free baked goods and hot beverages will be available at Mrs. Claus’ bakery starting at 4 p.m., and hot food will be available for purchase.

The 20-foot Christmas tree will be erected in the park with the tree-lighting taking place at 5 p.m. Entertainment featuring Navarre schools will start at 3:30 p.m., continue throughout the event, and conclude with the bike and toy raffle sponsored by area businesses.

The Chamber is accepting applications from any group, organization, or individuals that would like to participate in the parade. The cost to enter is $20 and the application must be received no later than Friday. For a parade entry form, sponsorship opportunities, or general information regarding this holiday event log on to navarrechamber.com and click on “Special Events” or call the Chamber at 939-3267.

Crestview

The Downtown Crestview Christmas Parade, handled annually by the Main Street Crestview Association under the sponsorship of the City of Crestview, will be held at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 5 on Main Street.

This year’s theme is “An Enchanted Christmas” with marching bands, lots of lights, colorfully decorated floats, and Santa Claus. Volunteers are needed. To volunteer, call 865-8595 or 974-4369.

Fort Walton Beach

“Christmas Melodies” is the theme for the 2009 Christmas Parade scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Dec. 7. Fort Walton Beach Mayor Mike Anderson will serve as grand marshal.

Musical entertainment will be provided by area school bands and participating applicants as the parade march moves up Eglin Parkway from First Street to the Kmart parking lot. All schools, bands, youth groups, churches and businesses, as well as civic, military, religious and service organizations are encouraged to participate.

The last float in the parade will feature Santa Claus accompanied by his elves, who will disperse Christmas trinkets to the children, both young and old, along the parade route.

For a parade entry application or more details, contact Jo Main at the Parks & Recreation Department, 132 Jet Drive, or call 833-9576. The deadline for entries is 5 p.m. Nov. 30.

Destin

The 24th annual City of Destin Christmas Parade will be held at 10 a.m. Dec. 12 along U.S. Highway 98. This year’s theme is “Christmas Movies.”

The parade route runs from the Downtown Destin Shopping Center to the Destin Community Center.

Applications must be received at the Community Center no later than Dec. 4. In lieu of a fee, each entrant must make a donation of toys.

Web site is cityofdestin.com. Call 654-5184.

Gulf Breeze

The 2009 Gulf Breeze Holiday Parade & SantaFest! will be held Dec. 12 hosted by the City of Gulf Breeze and the Gulf Breeze Area Chamber of Commerce. The 2009 parade theme is: “Rockin’ Around the Holiday!”

The parade will start at 10 a.m. and the route will begin on Shoreline Drive behind Gulf Breeze High School, continue past City Hall, the Gulf Breeze Recreation Center and continue along Shoreline making a right turn on McLane Road, ending at Fairpoint Drive.

All parade entries must be decorated and will be judged for the following award categories: Best in Show, Best Holiday Spirit and Grand Marshall’s Choice. Applications are available at: cityofgulfbreeze.com or call City Hall at 850-934-5100. Application deadline is Dec. 4.

Entrance fee is $25 for businesses and $10 for non-profit organizations. Entrance fee applications received after Dec. 5 will cost $50. There will be a mandatory meeting for one representative from all entrants at 6 p.m. Dec. 7 at the Recreation Center on Shoreline Drive.

Santa Fest! will be held after the parade in the parking lot in front of Gulf Breeze High School. There’ll be food, family fun, holiday music, and photos with Santa Claus. New this year: North Pole Market, a shopper’s paradise featuring specialty retail businesses in the Gulf Breeze area. Call the Chamber at: 850-932-7888 or go to gulfbreezechamber.com.

Pensacola

The Cox Pensacola Christmas Parade will be at 5:15 p.m. Dec. 12 and will be televised live on WKRG – TV5.

Organizers expect this year’s parade to feature more than 50 floats with unique holiday themes. This year marks the debut of the Wind Creek blimp, a three-person manned blimp that will hover overhead and follow the parade route, simulcasting the parade on the live television broadcast.

The Christmas Parade also includes bands from every high school in Escambia County, the nationally renowned Blue Angels flight team, groups from around the region, and as far away as Houston and New Orleans.

This year marks the first time the U.S. Postal Service will participate. Mail carriers will join the parade, picking up letters to Santa Claus from children in the crowd. No postage is necessary, and the letters will be delivered to Santa himself. Children are encouraged to bring their letters to Santa with them to the parade.

The Cox Pensacola Christmas Parade profits go to local high school band booster organizations to assist in the purchasing of uniforms and equipment and funding of travel expenses.

Destin

The 23rd annual Destin Lighted Boat Parade is scheduled for 6 p.m. Dec. 13.

The Destin History and Fishing Museum hosts the event. Festivities will begin in the afternoon along the harbor.

The juried parade features lighted, decorated boats that can be seen from anywhere on the harbor.

Pick up an entry form in person at the Museum, Destin Community Center, City Hall, Destin Chamber of Commerce, or many harbor businesses. Request a fax or email copy by calling the Destin History and Fishing Museum at 837-6611 or email kathydestinhistory@embarqmail.com. There is a $25 entry fee per boat.

There will be seven categories with prizes awarded in each category.