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City Getting Into Christmas Spirit

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By Mark  Schantz | The Suncoast News

Published: November 29, 2008

TARPON SPRINGS - You can almost hear the sleigh bells starting to ring.

This week city commissioners praised interim City Manager Mark LeCouris for his sprucing-up of downtown Tarpon Avenue by having holiday decorations placed on utility poles.

Local merchants are invited to decorate their shops. One merchant noted a Grinch on Tarpon Avenue immediately pulled down holiday lights she had just placed outside her building. She decided to only decorate the inside of her front window.

The Tarpon Springs Chamber of Commerce is reminding everyone the deadline for businesses, groups or individuals looking to enter its Christmas Parade is fast approaching.

This year's holiday parade, co-sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and city, will start at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, at South Pinellas Avenue and Morgan Street and proceed to Craig Park.

The deadline to enter the parade is Wednesday, Dec. 10.

As in past years, members of the Shriner group will ride tiny cars, trick motorbikes and floats in the parade.

The only requirement to join the parade is entries must have a holiday or Christmas theme, said Sue Thomas, chamber president and chief operating officer. The parade committee will provide the only Santa Claus to be allowed in the parade.

After the parade, the city's recreation division will hold a candy cane hunt in Craig Park that Santa and his elves will attend. The candy cane hunt will be conducted by age groups.

Those wishing to enter the parade can get an application at the Chamber of Commerce, 11 E. Orange St., or call 727-937-6109.

The recreation division will once again get into the holiday spirit by having Santa call youngsters at home to see if they have been naughty or nice.

Applications for local parents to sign up their children are available at City Hall. Santa and his helpers will call the youngsters from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12. Volunteers are also needed to help Santa call the children.

Call 727-942-5628 to sign up or register a child.

Earlier in the month, the recreation division and the Landing at Tarpon Springs, a marina, are sponsoring the 19th annual Holiday Boat Parade, Saturday, Dec. 6.

The owners of decorated boats of all sizes are invited to participate in this free event. Trophies will be awarded for the best decorated boats.

During the nautical parade, vessels will proceed down the Anclote River and stop in Spring Bayou, at Craig Park from 8 - 8:30 p.m. A holiday movie will then be shown in the park.

Registration forms for the boat parade are available at the Landing and other local marinas, as well as at the recreation division, 400 S. Walton Ave. For more information call 727-942-5628.

Mark Schantz can be reached at 727-815-1075 or mschantz@suncoastnews.com.

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