GAINESVILLE, FL (352today.com) – It doesn’t matter how you swing it; having Shaquille O’Neal in your town is always cause for celebration.
O’Neal, whose daughter Me’Arah currently plays for the Florida Gators womans basketball team, aims to make a holiday splash in Gainesville as the Grand Marshall of the upcoming Very GNV Holiday Parade.
The 15-time NBA All-Star and Basketball Hall of Fame center had a chance to address the upcoming parade while on the set of his TNT show “Inside the NBA”
“Hello Gainesville, it’s Shaq! I can’t wait to ring in the season at a Very Gainesville Holiday Parade. See you soon!” Shaq said.
The parade is set to take place on Saturday, Dec. 07, 2024, from 12 -1 p.m. It will begin at the University Ave./W. 6th St. intersection and conclude at the Alachua County Public Schools Administration Building at 620 E. University Ave.
The parade is set to feature more than 110 entries including marching bands, floats, and dancing groups.
Shaq is known for pursuing impressive ventures beyond basketball. Along with earning a doctorates degree from Barry University in Miami back in 2012, Shaq has taken his talents to the world of Electronic Dance Music (EDM), performing DJ sets all around the world under the alias “DJ Diesel.”
DJ Diesel will be in the swamp, performing a DJ set at Vivid Sky Warehouse in Gainesville’s downtown area a few hours after the parade, at 6 p.m. Tickets are on sale now.