Ormond Beach Christmas Parade

Ormond Beach Christmas Parade. The Ormond Beach Christmas Parade is an annual event held in Ormond Beach, Florida, featuring a variety of floats, marching bands, and community groups, similar to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Tournament of Roses Parade. This festive event is organized by the City of Ormond Beach and attracts thousands of spectators, including visitors from nearby Daytona Beach and Holly Hill, Florida. The parade is a celebration of the holiday season, with participants and attendees often dressed in Christmas-themed attire, reminiscent of scenes from It's a Wonderful Life and Miracle on 34th Street.

Introduction

The Ormond Beach Christmas Parade is a beloved tradition in Volusia County, Florida, bringing together local residents, businesses, and organizations to celebrate the holiday season, much like the New York City Christmas Parade and the Chicago Christmas Parade. The event is often compared to other notable parades, such as the Rose Parade and the Thanksgiving Day Parade, in terms of its festive atmosphere and community involvement. The parade features a range of participants, including marching bands from Seabreeze High School and Mainland High School, as well as floats from local businesses like Winn-Dixie and Publix. The event is also supported by local organizations, such as the Ormond Beach Chamber of Commerce and the Volusia County Council.

History

The Ormond Beach Christmas Parade has a long history, dating back to the 1970s, when it was first organized by the Ormond Beach Rotary Club and the Ormond Beach Lions Club. Over the years, the parade has grown in popularity, with more participants and spectators attending each year, similar to the growth of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Tournament of Roses Parade. The parade has been featured in local media outlets, including the Daytona Beach News-Journal and WESH, and has been recognized as one of the top holiday events in Volusia County, Florida, alongside the Daytona Beach Christmas Parade and the New Smyrna Beach Christmas Parade. The parade has also been supported by local politicians, including U.S. Representative Michael Waltz and Florida State Senator Tom Wright.

Parade Route and Schedule

The Ormond Beach Christmas Parade takes place on the first Saturday of December, starting at 6:00 PM, and follows a route through the heart of Ormond Beach, Florida, passing by notable landmarks like the Ormond Beach City Hall and the Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center. The parade route begins at Granada Boulevard and Beach Street, and ends at Riviera Boulevard and Atlantic Avenue, covering a distance of approximately 1.5 miles, similar to the route of the Boston Christmas Parade and the Philadelphia Christmas Parade. The schedule of events includes a pre-parade ceremony, featuring performances by local musicians, such as the Ormond Beach High School Marching Band and the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Choir. The parade is also broadcast live on local television stations, including WFTV and WKMG-TV.

Participants and Entertainment

The Ormond Beach Christmas Parade features a diverse range of participants, including marching bands, floats, and community groups, such as the Ormond Beach Police Department and the Volusia County Fire Rescue. The parade also includes appearances by notable figures, such as Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, as well as characters from popular Disney and Universal Studios franchises, like Mickey Mouse and Harry Potter. The event features a variety of entertainment options, including live music performances by local bands, such as the Ormond Beach Concert Band and the Daytona Beach Symphony Society. The parade is also supported by local businesses, including Walmart and Target, which provide funding and resources for the event.

Community Involvement

The Ormond Beach Christmas Parade is a community-driven event, with local residents and businesses playing a crucial role in its organization and execution, similar to the New York City Christmas Parade and the Chicago Christmas Parade. The event is supported by a range of community groups, including the Ormond Beach Rotary Club, the Ormond Beach Lions Club, and the Volusia County Council on Aging. The parade also includes a food drive, with participants and spectators encouraged to bring non-perishable items to support local food banks, such as the Food Bank of Central Florida and the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. The event is also recognized as a major tourist attraction, with visitors from across the state and country attending the parade, and supporting local businesses, such as Hilton Hotels & Resorts and Marriott International. Category:Parades in the United States