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Parade, Snowfest arrive Saturday

By Sandee Davies
Published November 26, 2006

The 79th annual Santa Parade and Snowfest will offer all the fun of winter and the holiday season Saturday without any of the hassle.

There will be snow, without the freezing temps or the need to shovel.

An elaborate holiday day parade, featuring more than 100 entries, requires that you only watch.

And Santa, without any help from Mom or Dad, will make an appearance and pose for pictures.

The parade starts at 10 a.m. at First Avenue S and Fifth Street, goes to Bayshore Drive and then north to the Renaissance Vinoy Resort. The grand marshal is Channel 44's Notorious D.O.G.

After the parade and continuing until 3 p.m., the kids can go wild at Snowfest, where the city will truck in real snow and offer a toboggan slide and skating on a simulated ice rink.

Other activities are pony rides and crafts. A $6 wristband includes all Snowfest activities.

Come back in the evening and enjoy the holiday lights while the kids visit with Santa from 6 to 9 p.m. through Dec. 23 in North Straub Park.

Don't miss the giant greeting card display along Bayshore Drive at Vinoy Park.

26 TODAY

Witness to the Moment: Gallery talk led by Dr. Jennifer Hardin, 3 p.m., Museum of Fine Arts, 255 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg. Free with museum admission. 896-2667.

27 MONDAY

Segway holiday lights: One-hour guided tours of holiday lights in downtown St. Petersburg waterfront parks on Segway Human Transporter through Dec. 21, departing at 6 p.m., St. Petersburg Museum of History, 335 Second Ave. NE. By reservation only. $30. Call 896-3640.

30 THURSDAY

Artist reception for carousel elephants: Some of the artists who designed 10 carousel elephants celebrating 10 areas of the world will be on hand from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Clearwater Main Library, 100 Osceola Ave. Presented by the Patel Foundation for Global Understanding, the exhibit is open through Jan. 1. Hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Call 562-4970, ext. 5284.

01 FRIDAY

Christmas in New York: Gibbs High School presents love duets from operas and seasonal, 10:30 a.m., St. Petersburg Yacht Club, 11 Central Ave. Benefit scholarships presented by the Florida Suncoast Opera Guild. Also includes a fashion show, lunch and silent auction. $45. Call to reserve a space: 867-5263.

Get downtown: First Friday street party, 5:30-10 p.m., on Central Avenue between Second and Third streets. Features the jazz tunes of Heart, Jackson and Watson. Free. Call 393-3597.

02 SATURDAY

Trees and traditions at Heritage Village: Multicultural dance performances by groups of the St. Petersburg Folk Fair Society, 1-4 p.m., Heritage Village, 11909 125th St. N., Largo. Also enjoy the holiday trees decorated in colorful global themes. Call 582-2123.

Spotlight on Pets Festival and Adoptathon: Bring your pet along and maybe take another home for good measure from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Azalea Recreation Center, 1600 72nd St. N. Activities include raffles, photos with Santa, arts and crafts, face painting and nail trimming. Animals from more than 25 purebred rescue organizations and shelters will be available for adoption. Vendor tables available for $30. Call 545-3463 or go to www.spotusa.org.

A Christmas spectacular: The Florida Orchestra performs holiday favorites, 8 p.m., Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. S, St. Petersburg. $17-$52. Call (800) 662-7286 or go to www.floridaorchestra.org.

'Langston Hughes Black Nativity': Celebrates the Christmas story with uplifting versions of gospel favorites by a cast of 50 singers, dancers and musicians, 7:30 p.m. today and Dec. 3. Palladium Theater, 253 Fifth Ave. N, St. Petersburg. Free, call to reserve advance tickets. Call 822-3590.

03 SUNDAY

A December to remember at Ingleside: At least 13 historic homes are featured in an event to showcase cultural and religious diversity, 6-9 p.m., St. Petersburg Museum of History, 335 Second Ave. NE. Patrons will tour homes in the Ingleside neighborhood decorated for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, St. Nicolas Day, St. Lucia Day, Los Posados and Le Re'veillon. There will also be food and entertainment from the Disney Carolers. Benefits the museum. $35. To reserve a spot call 894-1052, ext. 205.

Christmas concert: Featuring the Alumni Singers, 4 p.m., Rio Vista Presbyterian Church, 600 83rd Ave. NE , St. Petersburg. Refreshments follow. Free. Call 577-5855.

Christmas and more: The Suncoast Singers begin their 27th season, 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Largo Cultural Center, 105 Central Park Drive. Enjoy everything from Achy Breaky Heart to Handel's Messiah, from Blue Christmas to the Nutcracker. $7:50-$15.50. Call 587-6793.

Pinellas Youth Symphony Holiday Orchestra Concert: Symphonic Strings, Philharmonia Orchestra, Serenade Strings and Senior Orchestra perform, 2 p.m., Palladium Theater. Call 438-3149 or see www.pysmusic.org.

Gallery talk: Ceramics artist and sculptor Brian Ransom of Eckerd College speaks on the current exhibit, "From the Fire: Contemporary Korean Ceramics," 3 p.m., Museum of Fine Arts. Free with museum admission. Call 896-2667.

[Last modified November 25, 2006, 22:29:34]