GAINESVILLE, FL (352today.com) – A generation grew up in Gainesville not knowing the joy associated with a holiday parade.
While no one we spoke to – including city representatives – could remember exactly what year Gainesville last held a holiday parade, the general consensus was it’s been too long.
On Saturday, hundreds of people lined University Avenue in Gainesville between West 6th Street and East 6th street to enjoy the city’s first holiday parade in more than 30 years.
Judging by the smiles on the parade watchers’ faces, the crowd was pleased with the showing of what the city called “A Very GNV Holiday Parade.”
About 100 units marched through town. Entries ranged from high school bands fronted by squads twirling flags and batons to shiny emergency vehicles flashing their lights while the public safety personnel flashed their smiles.
Even the city’s contracted sanitation service rolled its garbage trucks along the parade route… resisting picking trash along the way.
Several civic and church organizations strutted their stuff to holiday music or paraded to percussive beats.
Former Gator head football coach Stever Spurrier was the grand marshal of the parade and said he was “thrilled” to do the honors in his hometown.
The Grinch made more appearances than Santa with Mr. Grinch riding on floats, handing out candy to the kids and peddling his own boat.
The weather forecast threatened precipitation, but it held off and didn’t rain on Gainesville’s parade.
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