Story and photo by Carrie Pinkard
Darth Vader. A giant Nutcracker. Rudolph on a segway.
These were just a few of the characters seen marching down Beach Drive for St. Petersburg’s annual “Santa Parade.”
Paradegoers dressed in festive sweaters were handed candy canes by Girl Scouts. Beads were thrown by the fistful. The event felt like Gasparilla, but instead of pirates, there were elves.
The parade featured dozens of floats from people around the community. Organizations included Sunstar Paramedics, Astro Skating Centers and Kali Kali Dance Company.
The St. Petersburg High School marching band played their instruments, and a group of Astro Skate kids break-danced for the crowd.
The one thing missing from most of the “Santa parade” was Santa himself. But he finally made an appearance upon the last float.
After the parade concluded its route near South Straub Park, people gathered for the lighting of the downtown St. Petersburg Christmas tree.
“Who’s ready to light this tree up?” Mayor Rick Kriseman asked the crowd gathered in North Straub park.
He then pointed to the dark Christmas tree and, like magic, it illuminated into an array of flickering colors.
The tree stood about 30 feet tall with a star on top. Its lights transitioned from green and red to white. The waterfront in downtown St. Petersburg felt instantly more festive with the tree lights on.
Children gathered on the stage to take pictures with Santa while Kriseman posed with members of the St. Petersburg City Council.
Christmas wasn’t the only holiday being celebrated in the park. A few hundred feet south of the Christmas tree lay a statue of a dreidel, a spinning top played with during Hanukkah.
People from all backgrounds came together to celebrate the holiday season.
At the end of the night, they returned home with a few more pictures and plastic beads.
