This year’s Plant City Christmas Parade was lauded by parade walkers and attendees alike as one of the best in the community’s history.
A large part of its success was due to the impeccable quality of the floats, marching bands and decorated vehicles that brought the parade to life. Four out-of-town judges meticulously critiqued every entry and, after much discussion, narrowed them down to the cream of the crop. An awards presentation was held Dec. 12 at the Robert W. Willaford Railroad Museum to honor those who went above and beyond for the event.
Plant City Christmas Parade, Inc. President Dodie White welcomed all who were able to attend the special celebratory event and discussed some of the great comments they received over the course of the past week. Several members of the board were also on site for the festivities.
“Thank you all for participating. We appreciate you guys more than you’ll ever know,” White said. “I have had nothing but amazing comments about the floats and the units, even just the vehicles that were decorated this year, so you guys all stepped up your game. Everyone stepped up their game so you were in stiff competition. To say that you actually won and were the best in your category is something to really say and be proud of. You were great, you were all great. Congratulations to you.”
The parade may be one night only in December, but the organization spends the entire year bringing it to life. They meet each January for a follow-up meeting and then, come May, dive headfirst into making the next year’s event even better than the one before.
The winners all expressed their appreciation. Several said they look forward to the event every year and begin planning months in advance to create the perfect float or unit. With the friendly spirit of competition in the air, they joked they were going to start even earlier to up the ante and make sure they come out on top again in 2020.
As the groups smiled for their photos under the glow of the twinkling Christmas lights erected throughout the depot and park by the City of Plant City, there was an abundance of Christmas spirit and holiday cheer. Many stayed long after the celebration taking photos with their trophies and cash prizes with the different holiday decorations around the park.