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Parade, stroll welcome season
By MICHELLE JONES DADE CITY -- Lights twinkled, Christmas carols were sung and Santa Claus had dozens of children sit on his lap telling him what they wanted for Christmas. But the main draw for most people at Dade City's 21st annual Country Christmas Stroll was the shops. They all stayed open late. Ann Peterson of Lake Park, Ga., drove her 1955 Chevrolet down for the monthly cruise-in that coincided with the stroll, and she said she was doing some serious shopping. "I've been in all the shops," she said. "And now I am going back again. I had to check out everything first." She said all the lights, music and decorations have put her into the mood for Christmas. And the shopkeepers were grateful. The clerk at the Picket Fence said business had been great all day. Jane and Ben Stoneley and their 19-month-old daughter, Ella, were visiting Spring Hill from Winchester, England. "We saw a flier about this at Rogers' Christmas House and decided to come take a look," said Jane Stoneley. She and her husband said it was hard to think about Christmas when it was 80 degrees out, but they were trying. "We usually have rain at Christmas, and once in a while snow," said Ben Stoneley. But Dade City certainly appeared to be in the Christmas spirit. Friday night the city welcomed the season with its annual Magical Christmas Parade. The 90-minute parade offered floats, marching bands, cars, horses and marchers. Every unit was decorated with lights. Even some of the musical instruments sported blinking lights. The float sponsored by Stearns Peat Co. even offered fake snow. It spewed forth tiny pieces of plastic foam, much to the delight of the children who ran into the street and threw the stuff at each other. Ryan Grant, 2, of Inverness was more interested in the candy. Between the units he would march up and down in front of the spectators with his twinkling sword. Afterward he said the parade was loud but fun. Winning the best overall float was the Possum Trot 4-H Club, which featured a double-decker sleigh decorated for the holiday. The best commercial award went to the Withlacoochee River Electric Co., and the best decorated car was from Pasco Motors. Blackwood Studios won the plaque for best marching unit, and the best civic award went to the Dade City Police and Fire Department Sept. 11 Memorial float. Winning the best horse unit was the Elite Horse Club, and Pasco Middle School and Weightman Middle School/Wesley Chapel High School (combined bands) tied for the best band award. At the stroll on Saturday, horse-drawn carriage rides were offered from 6 to 9 p.m. with trips along historic Church Avenue, where all the homes were decorated for Christmas. Carolers dressed in Charles Dickens costumes serenaded along the streets, and many shops offered free cookies and punch to customers. Chase Matthes, 4, was one of Santa's visitors. He said he wanted a bicycle for Christmas. He told Santa he was a good boy. Samantha Ferrell, 6, told the jolly old elf she had been a good girl all year, and her mother, Susan Ferrell, agreed. Samantha said she wanted a Barbie Key House for Christmas and a Barbie doll. William Kelly, 75, of Tampa just wanted to sit. He was one of many men who accompanied their wives to the shopping extravaganza. "She is in one of the shops," he said as he took a rest on a chair in front of the Heavenly Treasures Tea Room and Gift Shop. At the Sandbar Market shoppers were greeted with the fragrance of fresh greenery. Cedar and pine wreaths were for sale, among many other items. "It smells wonderful in here," said Rose Calco of Lutz. "This is our third time here for the Christmas Stroll. We are making it a tradition." She said Dade City was a great place to find that very special gift for someone. "And everyone is so nice here," she said. Restaurants were also doing a booming business. At 6 p.m. there were people standing in line waiting for a seat at several restaurants. Ron Kelley of Tampa was just waiting. He was one of the husbands who stood on the sidewalk outside the stores, while their wives shopped inside. "She is snapping up bargains," he said, referring to his wife, Jean. -- Michelle Jones covers central Pasco community news. She can be reached at (813) 909-4612. Her e-mail address is jones@sptimes.com.
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