VERO BEACH — The Oceanside Business Association and the Sunrise Rotary club will again be sponsoring the annual Vero Beach Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 5:30 p.m. on Ocean Dr. It was announced by Georgia Irish of Marine Bank, president of the OBA and head of the 2013 parade committee.
The Police and Parade Marshals are requesting full cooperation from spectators to stay back from the parade route for safety reasons due to the size of the floats. Participants and spectators are reminded there is to be no parking on Cardinal Dr. after 3 p.m. for the safety of the children participating.
This year, to help relieve parking and congestion on Cardinal Dr. and Ocean Dr., there will be free shuttle service provided by the Oceanside Business Association. Two shuttles will run from Memorial Island in Riverside Park to Cardinal Dr. until shortly after the parade starts.
The shuttles will begin picking up participants at the two following intersections: Indian Lilac Rd. and Silver Palm Dr. as well as Cardinal Dr. and Beachland Blvd. to bring spectators back to Riverside Park.
This year, the parade is expected to have over 70 entries. There will be boats, motorcycles, fire engines, wonderfully decorated floats, and even a plane. The floats are supplied by schools, clubs, nonprofits, and businesses.
Santa will arrive on his sleigh donated by Dubois and Sons Jewelry.
Karen Dodson, the parade coordinator, has been responding to questions from participants since early June. There will be contributors coming from all over to participate.
There have been calls from attendees from Stuart, Miami, the Carolinas, and, of course, many of our seasonal and permanent residents as well. Karen has coordinated the parade for the last few years and says this will be the best ever.
People are encouraged to come early and visit the businesses, hotels, and restaurants whose support makes our parade possible.
Al Benkert of Vero Beachside Sales-Rentals will be this year’s judge in order to handle the difficult task of choosing the winning floats for the following categories:
Most Holiday Spirit
Most Humorous
Best of Parade (Best overall)
The parade will stage on Cardinal Dr. and will run from Flamevine to Greytwig on Ocean Dr. between 5:30 & 7 p.m.
3 p.m. – No parking on Cardinal Dr. because floats will stage there.
4 p.m. – Cardinal Dr. & cross streets will be closed to traffic from Beachland to Flamevine so floats can be staged safely.
4 p.m. – Flamevine will be closed from Eagle Dr. to Ocean Dr.
5 p.m. – Ocean Dr. will be closed from Flamevine to Greytwig.
5 p.m. – Greytwig & its cross streets will be closed east of A1A.
5:30 p.m. – Parade begins on Ocean Dr. at the corner of Flamevine.