Plant City Police Chief Ed Duncan will be given a send off unlike any other as he ends his time as the Chief of PCPD with the coveted role as grand marshal of the Plant City Christmas Parade.
Every year, the annual Plant City Christmas Parade brings the community together to revel in the holiday spirit. One local resident is honored as the coveted grand marshal of each parade. This year, the distinction has been awarded to PCPD Chief Ed Duncan.
“It was such a surprise,” Duncan said. “Here I am on my last couple weeks of employment and I got the call that the board had voted and wanted me to be the grand marshal. I was so humbled by that. It is a great honor that this city is comfortable with me and supports its law enforcement so vocally. I can’t think of a better send-off.”
Duncan’s wife, Kelley, will join him throughout the parade. Both of them are recognizable throughout the community. Kelley was born and raised in Plant City and was a guidance counselor at Plant City High School before helping open Strawberry Crest High School.
They will throw beads and wave to the crowds along the parade path. Duncan said they both take this role seriously and are beyond humbled to have been considered for it. He said the board doesn’t extend this invitation lightly and he hopes they are able to help spread the Christmas spirit while at the head of the route.
“I’ve been in the parade for years, but never in this role,” Duncan said. “It’ll be interesting to see it from this perspective. I have been so blessed in my career and I can honestly say this has been the best job I’ve ever had. This community has embraced me, even back when I was with the Sheriff’s Office and working out on the edge of Plant City. I am extremely humbled and proud to have served as their chief and this is just, this is more than I could have expected.”
PCPD will be joined by HCSO during the event to secure the parade route and walk among the floats.
“We are very excited to have Ed as our Grand Marshal because he has worked in law enforcement for so many years helping to keep the residents of Plant City and Hillsborough County safe,” Parade President Dodie White said. “And we feel that he’s done an outstanding job in his position as Police Chief in leading our wonderful Plant City police force. He’s boosted morale and his door is always open. Also, we chose him as our Grand Marshal before his retirement was announced. So often we take our policemen and all first responders for granted and this is just a small way for us to say ‘Thank you.’”
Those who have attended in the past know it’s one of the most anticipated events of the year. Families flock to the route to celebrate the holiday season with their loved ones and children wait anxiously to get a glimpse of Santa.
“I honestly think it’s because of the whole spirit in Plant City,” Duncan said. “It’s a small town and it has a sense of comfort and safety that you just rarely find in larger cities these days. People thoroughly enjoy it here and I think there’s a very good reason so many people call this area home. I think people are starved for peace and I think people really believe by coming to Plant City they can enjoy those experiences without all of the stress that comes so frequently in today’s day and age… This event really brings the spirit of Christmas to the forefront and it’s no wonder it’s always one of the biggest events of the year.”
The Christmas Parade board announced just a few weeks ago that the event was in fact returning this year. The parade’s major sponsors are Unity in the Community and Stingray Chevrolet. It will feature floats, marching bands, participation from churches and organizations as well as a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. The parade route will start at Collins and Alsobrook Streets, travel north on Collins through downtown, turn right onto Reynolds Street and end at the courthouse. Spectators are asked to begin lining up on Collins, one block north of Alsobrook Street in order to view the parade in its entirety.
The 2020 Plant City Christmas Parade will start at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4. Follow the Plant City Christmas Parade on Facebook for updates or check out pcchristmasparade.homestead.com.
