Gainesville holiday parade returns

Dr. Paul Broadie (sitting middle in suit) leading the Santa Fe College float at A Very GNV Holiday Parade on Saturday.
Dr. Paul Broadie (sitting middle in suit) leading the Santa Fe College float at A Very GNV Holiday Parade on Saturday.
Photo by J.C. Derrick

The city of Gainesville has not held a holiday parade since the 1990s, but on Saturday it brought the tradition back with more than 90 participants. Former Florida Gators head football coach Steve Spurrier acted as grand marshal for the “A Very GNV Holiday Parade.” 

Some participants knew it was their first time at a Gainesville holiday parade but were surprised to hear it is the first time the city has had one in three decades. 

Micanopy Mayor Jiana Williams and Commissioner Ken Wessberg in A Very GNV Holiday Parade on Saturday.
Photo by J.C. Derrick Micanopy Mayor Jiana Williams and Commissioner Ken Wessberg in A Very GNV Holiday Parade on Saturday.

Devoe Haynes said the parade was a good opportunity to go out and fellowship with other people. Her son, Malakhi said his favorite part of the parade was taking a photo with the Grinch from the Urban Yachting Club’s float—a boat on wheels. 

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“We’re very excited that it’s back,” Haynes said. “As far as it being the first parade, we’re enjoying it a lot.” 

Gainesville Commissioner Cynthia Chestnut led the push for a parade, proposing the idea, spearheaded fundraising and led the vision planning with a steering committee. 

UF Health, Cox Communication and MARC Radio were the title sponsors of the event, each donating over $10,000. The parade also drew silver, bronze and sapphire level sponsors to reach its fundraising goals. 

“One of MARC Radio’s main initiatives is to do anything for the community, and this is all community driven, so it’s right up our alley,” Vinny Foo, program director for MARC’s radio station Magic 101.3 FM, said. “We love our community, we support our community because our community supports us,” 

Mainstreet Daily News also participated in the parade. 

The Urban Yachting Club at A Very GNV Holiday Parade on Saturday.
Photo by Glory Reitz The Urban Yachting Club at A Very GNV Holiday Parade on Saturday.
The Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church float at A Very GNV Holiday Parade on Saturday.
Photo by C.J. Gish The Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church float at A Very GNV Holiday Parade on Saturday.
The Diamonds of Gainesville competitive dance team at A Very GNV Holiday Parade on Saturday.
Photo by Glory Reitz The Diamonds of Gainesville competitive dance team at A Very GNV Holiday Parade on Saturday.
Students from the Eastside High School Junior ROTC program at A Very GNV Holiday Parade on Saturday.
Photo by C.J. Gish Students from the Eastside High School Junior ROTC program at A Very GNV Holiday Parade on Saturday.
Ministries of Expressive Song and Dance at A Very GNV Holiday Parade on Saturday.
Photo by Glory Reitz Ministries of Expressive Song and Dance at A Very GNV Holiday Parade on Saturday.
MARC Radio's Larry Wilson and Vinny Foo at A Very GNV Holiday Parade on Saturday.
Photo by C.J. Gish MARC Radio’s Larry Wilson and Vinny Foo at A Very GNV Holiday Parade on Saturday.
Members of Cumbia Collective wave their skirts in a traditional Columbian dance at A Very GNV Holiday Parade on Saturday.
Photo by Glory Reitz Members of Cumbia Collective wave their skirts in a traditional Columbian dance at A Very GNV Holiday Parade on Saturday.
The Florida Gators marching band preparing for A Very GNV Holiday Parade on Saturday.
Photo by C.J. Gish The Florida Gators marching band preparing for A Very GNV Holiday Parade on Saturday.
The Gainesville Housing Authority at A Very GNV Holiday Parade on Saturday.
Photo by Glory Reitz The Gainesville Housing Authority at A Very GNV Holiday Parade on Saturday.
Concrete Roses Mentoring at A Very GNV Holiday Parade on Saturday.
Photo by C.J. Gish Concrete Roses Mentoring at A Very GNV Holiday Parade on Saturday.
Expressions Learning Academy's 'Art Club Elves' at A Very GNV Holiday Parade on Saturday.
Photo by Glory Reitz Expressions Learning Academy’s ‘Art Club Elves’ at A Very GNV Holiday Parade on Saturday.
Gainesville Dollz and Solziers at A Very GNV Holiday Parade on Saturday.
Photo by C.J. Gish Gainesville Dollz and Solziers at A Very GNV Holiday Parade on Saturday.
The Eastside High School marching band at A Very GNV Holiday Parade on Saturday.
Photo by Glory Retiz The Eastside High School marching band at A Very GNV Holiday Parade on Saturday.
Dr. Sinn's Freak Island Musical Sideshow at A Very GNV Holiday Parade on Saturday.
Photo by C.J. Gish Dr. Sinn’s Freak Island Musical Sideshow at A Very GNV Holiday Parade on Saturday.
The Florida Gators marching band at A Very GNV Holiday Parade on Saturday.
Photo by Glory Reitz The Florida Gators marching band at A Very GNV Holiday Parade on Saturday.
Siatech MycroSchool at A Very GNV Holiday Parade on Saturday.
Photo by C.J. Gish Siatech MycroSchool at A Very GNV Holiday Parade on Saturday.
Judge Meshon Rawls (as Mary), Prince Jackson (as Jesus) , Dr. Carjie Scott and Kerwin Scott on the Bethel AME float at A Very GNV Holiday Parade on Saturday.
Photo by J.C. Derrick Judge Meshon Rawls (as Mary), Prince Jackson (as Jesus) , Dr. Carjie Scott and Kerwin Scott on the Bethel AME float at A Very GNV Holiday Parade on Saturday.
Mainstreet Daily News' J.C. Derrick at A Very GNV Holiday Parade on Saturday.
Photo by C.J. Gish Mainstreet Daily News’ J.C. Derrick at A Very GNV Holiday Parade on Saturday.
Rod Fair (driving) and Pastor Ron Rawls (dressed as Joseph) of Greater Bethel AME Church at A Very GNV Holiday Parade on Saturday.
Photo by J.C. Derrick Rod Fair (driving) and Pastor Ron Rawls (dressed as Joseph) of Greater Bethel AME Church at A Very GNV Holiday Parade on Saturday.
Philos at A Very GNV Holiday Parade on Saturday.
Photo by C.J. Gish Philos at A Very GNV Holiday Parade on Saturday.
The P.K. Yonge School Blue Wave marching band at A Very GNV Holiday Parade on Saturday.
Photo by J.C. Derrick The P.K. Yonge School Blue Wave marching band at A Very GNV Holiday Parade on Saturday.
The Santa Fe College Student Builders Association float at A Very GNV Holiday Parade on Saturday.
Photo by C.J. Gish The Santa Fe College Student Builders Association float at A Very GNV Holiday Parade on Saturday.
Gainesville Police Chief Lonnie Scott with the UF Gators mascot doing the Gator Chomp in A Very GNV Holiday Parade on Saturday.
Photo by J.C. Derrick Gainesville Police Chief Lonnie Scott with the UF Gators mascot doing the Gator Chomp in A Very GNV Holiday Parade on Saturday.
The Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority at A Very GNV Holiday Parade on Saturday.
Photo by C.J. Gish The Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority at A Very GNV Holiday Parade on Saturday.
Holding a banner with the title sponsors at the start of A Very GNV Holiday Parade on Saturday.
Photo by J.C. Derrick Holding a banner with the title sponsors at the start of A Very GNV Holiday Parade on Saturday.
Employees with the GFL Environmental at A Very GNV Holiday Parade on Saturday.
Photo by C.J. Gish Employees with the GFL Environmental at A Very GNV Holiday Parade on Saturday.
Joyce Vinson Family Day Care at A Very GNV Holiday Parade on Saturday.
Photo by C.J. Gish Joyce Vinson Family Day Care at A Very GNV Holiday Parade on Saturday.

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Real Gainesville Citizen and Voter

Wonderful! Good for Commissioner Cynthia Chestnut for pushing the idea; thanks to UF Health, Cox Communication and MARC Radio for underwriting the event and kudos to all the folks and units who participated! Sincerely hope this re-establishes a Gainesville tradition that has been missing way too long.