Dasher, Dancer, Prancer and Vixen took a stroll down Ocean Drive last Saturday evening during the 35th annual Vero Beach Christmas Parade, sponsored by the Oceanside Business Association and Sunrise Rotary Club.

Nearly 600 striped, lighted and tinseled runners warmed up the crowd pre-parade during the fifth annual Runner’s Depot Candy Cane 3K. Dillon Helzerman sprinted in first with a time of 10:11 and Kendall Wyckoff was the women’s top finisher at 12:17.

With just enough of a nip in the air for little ones to sip hot chocolate while bundled in blankets, it was “beginning to feel a lot like Christmas.” First responders took the lead during the festive holiday showcase, with the Vero Beach High School Marching Band hot on their heels.

Local dignitaries made appearances alongside participants from nearly 100 businesses, nonprofits and sporting groups – all helping to spread some holiday cheer. Floats ranged from the standard reindeer-pulled sleigh to swamp buggies and cranes. The 4-H float embraced the season with its “Farm Life” theme, where cows pulled a tractor driven by a pig taking flight over a barn full of farm animals.

A brigade of wheeled paraders drove circles around their neighbors in everything from a motorized recliner to a bathtub, much to the amusement of the crowd. And captained by members of the Marine Connection, the Merry Fishmas floated past, where stockings had been hung with care from fishing rod holders in hopes of reeling in a good catch this year.

Coastal Connection created an ocean-themed, environmental float out of recyclable trash, where a plastic octopus and turtle reminded beachgoers of the dangers of straws to sea creatures, as umbrella jellyfish floated in their wake.

Beachland Elementary Schoolers followed their motto – fins up for learning – with a shark-infested float. At its center, a diving cage allowed swimmers to safely observe the denizens of the deep while visions of sugar plums danced in their heads.

Closing out the parade with the magic of Christmas, Santa Claus glided by atop the Dubose and Sons’ sleigh, reminding boys and girls they have only a few more weeks to ensure their place on the big guy’s Nice List.

In the wake of all the fun, children scurried about scooping up snowy bubbles from the sandy streets and happily chattering about the experience, as folks gathered their parade gear and headed home.

“The parade is important because it gives people the opportunity to get together and celebrate as a community,” said parade coordinator Al Benkert, adding that this was one of the biggest parades to date.