City Of Venice Kicks Off The City Centennial Celebration At The Holiday Parade Saturday, November 29th
In its 49th year, the City of Venice Holiday Parade on Saturday, Nov. 29, is the perfect “kickoff” to the City’s Centennial celebration and this holiday season! Themed “All Aboard the Centennial,” this year’s parade pays homage to those who built, rode and championed the train that created our City on the Gulf.
Over 2,000 creative participants representing over 90 local companies, schools, churches, social organizations and music groups join to make this community family event fun for all ages. Bring your appetite! Drinks and goodies are offered for sale by high school booster clubs, Scouts and local nonprofit service groups all along the parade route in downtown Venice.
In the spirit of this giving season, Boy Scout Troop 77 will collect nonperishable food and cash donations at the start of the Holiday Parade, organized by the Coalition of South County Food Pantries for those in need this holiday season. ***See attached flyer
Parade Details:
- Early chair setup may begin along the parade route after 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26 at your own risk. No chairs setup or spectators allowed in the medians along W. Venice Avenue. No bleachers, couches, rope, stakes, tarps, canopies or mats; these items will be removed by Public Works. Any chairs placed before 6:30 p.m. that Wednesday will be disposed of as abandoned property. Do not call 911 or Code Enforcement to report missing or moved items.
- Parade Day, Saturday, Nov. 29
- 2 p.m. Road Closures: Roadways in the downtown area will begin to close at 2 p.m., including W. Venice Avenue and access to Nokomis Avenue. Be patient, plan ahead, and detour around the closures via Tampa Avenue and San Marco Drive. This includes both sides of W. Venice Avenue and N. Nokomis Avenue between Tampa and Venice avenues. Various streets surrounding City Hall will also be closed for staging floats. The impact spans east/west from the intersection of W. Venice Avenue/Harbor Drive to The Esplanade, and north/south from Barcelona Avenue to Armada Road South. These roadways will be open only to local traffic/residents and parade participants after 3 p.m. For your safety, road closures may be adjusted as needed. Plan for extended travel times, delays, detours, and diversions. Pay attention to directions from officers and event staff.
- New! 2:30 p.m. Holiday 100 Block Party: It will SNOW in the 100 block of downtown Venice! Live music on the Budweiser stage by FM Station FLA playing holiday tunes. Light bites from Cafe Venice, Made in Italy, Longet, Seed and Bean; drinks; local business vendors decked out with the holiday spirit. Live streaming of the Holiday Parade on projection screens and optimal viewing. This event is FREE for all ages. Food and drinks for purchase. Come on down to the 100 block and join the festive spirit!
- 4-7 p.m. Kids’ Activities: Stop by Centennial Park for FREE face painting, caricature art and songs by the Venice Gondoliers Barbershop Chorus, or visit City Hall on W. Venice Avenue and Fountain Park on Miami Avenue for FREE balloon-twisting creations from 4-7 p.m.
- 5:15 p.m. Dance Show: Enjoy dance performance by Starz Choice Dance Academy at the main stage near the Harbor Drive and W. Venice Ave intersection.
- 5:45 p.m. Elf Dash: Cheer on over 300 elves as they dash, dance and jingle their way down the parade route. Once you see the elves, it’s time to take your seats for the start of the parade! Registration is open until Nov. 28 for this 0.9-mile family fun run: https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/Venice/TheElfDash
- 5:50 p.m. Food Drive: Led by the Coalition of South County Food Pantries, bring a canned or other nonperishable food item (or cash donations) for collection by Boy Scout Troop 77 ahead of the parade.
- 6:15 p.m. National Anthem: “Star Spangled Banner” sung by the Venice High School Chorus by the main stage.
- 6:30 p.m. Parade Start: Parade officially begins at 6:30 p.m. at the corner of Avenue Des Parques and W. Venice Avenue (south side). It will proceed on the north side of W. Venice Avenue (westbound lane) after crossing over Harbor Drive. From there, it will make a turn on Nokomis Avenue and travel south down to Turin Street. Floats will unload at the Venice Community Center. Stick around for Santa, who makes two trips through the parade – once at the beginning, and again at the end.
- Public parking is available that Saturday along Miami and Tampa avenues, Centennial Park, under the North/KMI Bridge, Graser Park, and Venice Beach. City Hall parking is reserved for parade staff and volunteers; parking passes must be displayed. Venice Community Center parking may be reserved for Elf Dash runners, City staff and volunteers; parking passes must also be displayed.
- Portable restrooms & trash receptacles can be found along the parade route.
- Live streaming of the parade will be available, courtesy of the Venice Area Chamber of Commerce. Stay tuned for the link!
- Safety: If you see something, say something! Parade safety depends on you. If you see or hear anything suspicious, or have found a lost child, please notify any police officer in the immediate area.
NOTE: The City prohibits the throwing of candy and trinkets to spectators from floats for everyone’s safety. These items may be walked to/hand delivered from parade participants to spectators.
Get more information on the City website here. All times are subject to change.