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Not only clowns, bands and Santa will be on hand: When the parade passes by, enjoy the many crafts fairs, hayrides and foods that are additional parts of the fun.
By Times staff writer
© St. Petersburg Times, published December 6, 2001
The holidays will parade through the Tampa Bay area all weekend, by land and by sea.
There will be illuminated night parades through the streets of downtown Clearwater, New Port Richey and Tampa. Santa parades in the daylight in Dunedin and Brooksville.
And on the water, brightly decorated boats will float along the waters of St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Gulfport, Hernando Beach, St. Pete Beach and, on Monday, Treasure Island.
Clearwater Illuminated Holiday Parade: Expect about 150 units, including marching bands, floats, family and youth groups, specialty vehicles and more. 7 p.m. Friday, along Cleveland Street, from Highland Avenue west to Osceola Avenue downtown. (727) 562-4800. Free.
New Port Richey Main Street Holiday Festival and Parade: The festivities begin Friday with a carnival and midway from 5 to 9:30 p.m. The rides and games continue from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The parade steps off at 7 p.m. Saturday at Gulf Drive and Grand Boulevard, goes up Grand through downtown and around Orange Lake to Bank, then right onto Main Street, to U.S. 19. There also will be an arts and crafts fair from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Entertainment begins at 11:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Hayrides/sleigh rides around the historic downtown ($1 donation requested) and boat tours on the Cotee River ($5) are offered noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. All festival activities are at the Sims Park and Orange Lake areas downtown. (727) 842-8066 (festival) or (727) 842-7651 (parade). Fees for rides; other activities free.
Happy Holly Days Celebration and Dunedin Holiday Parade: The celebration includes arts and crafts, entertainment by choral groups and others, children's sledding on "Snow Mountain" and other kids' activities from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Edgewater Park at the Dunedin Marina, 51 Main St., downtown. The parade, with floats, bands and Santa Claus, begins at 11 a.m. Saturday at Alt. U.S. 19 and San Jose Drive and moves to Edgewater Park. (727) 298-3260. Free.
Hernando Christmas Parade, Festival and Tree Lighting: The annual parade with Santa Claus, marching bands, floats, clowns and more begins at 10 a.m. Saturday at Hernando High School on Howell Avenue in Brooksville and ends in front of the post office on Fort Dade Avenue. A festival follows the parade, noon to 3 p.m. behind City Hall on Howell Avenue, with entertainment, games, food and photos with Santa, plus holiday music at 5 p.m. in front of the historic courthouse complex, followed by the tree lighting at 6:30 p.m. (352) 754-4295. Free.
Tampa Illuminated Holiday Parade: The lighted floats and fun are sponsored by Krewe of Venus. The parade begins at 7 p.m. Saturday. This is a new parade route, beginning at Kennedy Boulevard and Plant Avenue, heading east on Kennedy to Ashley Drive, then north on Ashley to Polk Street downtown. (813) 264-8615. Free.
Clearwater Holiday Music Show and Illuminated Boat Parade: The annual boat parade Saturday is preceded by an afternoon of music in the waterfront Coachman Park. Musical acts include Spy vs. Spy (4 to 5 p.m.), Clearwater High School Concert Band (5:30 to 6 p.m.) and folk duo Trout Fishing in America (6:15 to 8 p.m.). The Island Estates Yacht Club Illuminated Boat Parade passes Coachman Park beginning about 8:15 p.m. The park is at Drew and Cleveland streets downtown. (727) 562-4800. Free.
Boca Ciega Yacht Club Christmas Boat Parade: The parade begins at 6 p.m. Saturday at Boca Ciega Yacht Club, 4600 Tifton St. S, Gulfport. It arrives at the Gulfport Municipal Marina at 6:30 p.m., Gulfport Pier at 7, Town Shores Condominiums at 7:15, Pasadena Yacht and Country Club at 7:30 and Isla Del Sol at 8. (727) 867-8397. Free.
Hernando Beach Boat Parade: The boats leave the Hernando Beach Yacht Club, 4163 Shoal Line Blvd., at 6:30 p.m. Saturday and float through the main canals of the area. (352) 597-2535. Free.
St. Petersburg Lighted Boat Parade: The annual judged event begins at 6:45 p.m. Saturday at the Harborage Marina at Bayboro Harbor and travels north around the Pier and into the Vinoy Yacht Basin, then returns to Harborage. (727) 821-6443. Free.
St. Pete Beach Holiday Boat Parade: Begins at 6 p.m. Sunday at Merry Pier at Eighth Avenue and Pass-a-Grille Way, then travels north through Pass-a-Grille Channel and Boca Ciega Bay to St. Pete Beach Yacht and Tennis Club at 94th Avenue and Blind Pass Road. (727) 363-9245. Free.
Treasure Island Christmas Boat Parade: The parade leaves the Treasure Island Tennis and Yacht Club, 400 Treasure Island Causeway, between 6 and 6:30 p.m. Monday, passes through the Treasure Island toll bridge and proceeds north to John's Pass. Judged event. (727) 367-4511. Free.