CHRISTMAS PARADE GRAND MARSHAL
AND ENTRY INFORMATION ANNOUNCED
Plant City Christmas Parade, Inc. announces the 2025 Christmas Parade Grand Marshal will be Ali Sobh. Sobh, the owner of Plant City’s Hungry Howie’s, has made a huge difference in Plant City through his generous support and involvement in the community. Plant City’s Hometown Christmas Parade, “Celebrate the Season – 2025,” will be held on Friday, December 5, 2025, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Major sponsors for this year’s parade are Unity in the Community and Stingray Chevrolet. Thanks to the help of Unity and Stingray, the Christmas parade promises to be a great event for everyone—young and young at heart! There will be beautifully decorated floats, marching bands, heart-warming church participation, civic and service groups, local business participation, and, of course, expect a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus to help kick off the 2025 Christmas season celebration.
Parade sponsorships are needed, and all money received goes directly toward offsetting parade costs, such as transporting local marching bands to the parade, purchasing the necessary insurance, rental of lighting and portable restrooms, etc. Sponsorships are available for as little as $250. Plant City Christmas Parade, Inc. is a non-profit, 501c(3) organization, and contributions are tax-deductible. Anyone interested in being a parade sponsor is urged to contact Sharon Moody at 813-453-7134, Dodie White at 813-927-0595, Marsha Passmore at 813-245-2244, or Greg Buckner at 813-355-6032.
Parade applications are now available and can be obtained by visiting the Plant City Chamber of Commerce or by visiting “Plant City Christmas Parade” on Facebook. Entries are limited to the first 75 “board approved” units, so those who are interested should send in applications soon to ensure a spot in the parade. Deadline for entries is November 26. No Exceptions.
The parade route has changed this year due to Reynolds Street being closed at Palmer for repair work. The route begins at Collins and Ball Streets, travels north on Collins, travels west on Reynolds, travels south on Wheeler, and ends at Drane Street. More information will be addressed at the MANDATORY safety meeting on December 1, at 5:30 p.m. at the Sayde Gibbs-Martin Community Center. Any parade entry that does not have representation at the mandatory safety meeting will be disqualified from entering the parade route.
Cash prizes and trophies will be awarded to five parade entrants: Best School Entry; Best Marching Entry; Best Church Entry; Best Business Entry; and the Best Overall Entry. Winners are selected by out-of-town judges with no input from the current parade board or committee.
Plant City’s Home-Town Christmas Parade is a family event, and everyone is invited to come out and enjoy the fun. Bring family, friends, and neighbors, and have a great time together. Spectators are asked to begin lining up on Collins, just north of Ball Street, to view the parade in its entirety and to allow for a safe parade unit line-up.
ARTS FESTIVAL
The Plant City Housing Authority is holding its 2025 Arts Festival on November 25 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 513 South Maryland Avenue. The event will feature an obstacle course, an inflatable bounce house, a photo booth, and a prize drawing. Treats like cotton candy and popcorn will be offered. The Oreo Lady, Give Back Cuts, and Gentlemen’s Quest will be on site. The main event is an unveiling at 12:00 p.m. for “A Vision Revealed. A Future Honored.”
FREE GROCERIES AVAILABLE FOR PLANT CITY RESIDENTS NOVEMBER 14
Hillsborough County’s Health Care Services will host three events this month where residents can receive free groceries.
The food packages, provided in partnership with Feeding Tampa Bay, generally include fresh fruit and vegetables, meats, and other staples. There are no income restrictions to receive the food. The County’s Healthy Living Program and Feeding Tampa Bay typically hold 16 food pantry events throughout the year: once a month for 10 months, with an additional three food pantries in November before Thanksgiving and another three in December.
Hillsborough County residents can pick up free groceries at the following times and places in November:
November 7, 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Gardenville Recreation Center, 6219 Symmes Rd., Gibsonton.
November 13, 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Lee Davis Community Resource Center, 3402 N. 22nd St., Tampa.
November 14, 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Plant City Community Resource Center, 307 N. Michigan Ave.
For more information on the food giveaways, call Hillsborough County Health Care Services, (813) 272-5040, Option 7.