PINELLAS PARK – Marchers, floats and bands will be on the move at 6 p.m. from Park Station at Park Boulevard and 59th Street for the 37th annual Christmas Parade, which is expected to draw thousands of people from all over Pinellas County.
The theme of the parade this year is “Christmas Around the World” and already plans are being made to create floats based on different heritages.
The Pinellas Park Beacon this week publishes a special parade edition sponsored by the Kiwanis Club. Included is a parade lineup, stories and photographs about the parade and the Kiwanis Club.
“We expect to see about 130 floats, bands and other attractions,” Ricky Butler, parade vice chairman, said.
Sgt. Tracey Schofield who will walk across the state for charity this month is parade marshal. Schofield will be recognized for his many community activities that include the walk to benefit the Pinellas Park Boys and Girls Club and Pinellas Hope, a homeless shelter off of 49th Street.
This year there will be seven bands from Osceola, Seminole, Pinellas Park, Lakewood, East Lake and Dixie Hollins high schools and the Classical Christian School for the Arts.
One of the more interesting participants will be the International Independent Showman’s Association that represents carnival and circus workers. The 501st Legion: Vader’s Fist, a group of Star Wars characters, will return.
The parade will start at 59th Street and Park Boulevard at 6 p.m. and head down the boulevard to the Shoppes at Park Place Mall. It is expected to be about two or more hours long. An estimated 30,000 spectators attended last year’s event.
