GAINESVILLE, FL (352today.com) – Former Florida Gators head football coach Steve Spurrier will be the grand marshal as Gainesville brings back a holiday parade this Saturday.

Organizers say more than 90 dance troupes, marching bands, floats and community groups will make their way down University Avenue in the 2023 A Very GNV Holiday Parade, the city’s first parade in decades.

The parade is the first of several downtown events this Saturday, Dec. 2, to usher in the holiday season. All events are free and open to the public.

2023 A Very GNV Holiday Parade
When: Noon-2 p.m.
Start: Intersection of West University Avenue & West 6th Street
End: 620 E. University Ave. (Alachua County Public Schools Administration Building)
Viewing spots along the parade route are first come, first serve. Bring chairs. Portable restrooms will be available along the route.

Holiday Kids Dance Party
When: 3-5 p.m.
Where: Bo Diddley Plaza, 111 E. University Ave.
Dance, sing and celebrate to music by DJ E-LO.

Holiday Lights Celebration
When: 5:30-8 p.m.
Where: The Historic Thomas Center, 302 NE 6th Ave.
Thousands of lights will adorn trees in the garden at the Historic Thomas Center. The Gainesville Harmony Show Chorus, the Singers of Reformation and the Gypsy Guerilla Band will provide musical entertainment. You can take a horse-drawn carriage ride for a $5 donation per person.

Traffic Impact

  • Northwest 6th Street between West University Avenue and Northwest 8th Avenue will serve as the staging area for parade entries and will close at 7 a.m. Saturday until the final entry enters the parade route.
  • East University Avenue from West 7th Street to East 7th Street will close at 11 a.m. Saturday and reopen gradually as the final entry travels the parade route.
  • Buses along certain Regional Transit System (RTS) routes will experience delays Saturday. Visit the city’s RTS website for details.

#GNVholidayparade is the official hashtag of the parade. You are invited to tag the city when posting photos online, using @GainesvilleFL on Facebook; @gainesvillefla on Instagram; and @Gainesvillegov on X (formerly Twitter).

The parade will be livestreamed on the city’s Facebook page. It will be recorded for replay on Community 12TV, and available on demand after the event on GNV TV through Roku and Amazon Fire TV devices.