Plant City Readies Downtown for Hometown Christmas Parade

It's been about nine months since the floats of the Florida Strawberry Festival Parade made their way down the streets of Plant City, which tonight, Dec. 7, will be adorned with another round of floats, this time for the city's 2012 Christmas parade.

The 29th annual event, billed now as the Hometown Christmas Parade, kicks off at 7 p.m., with a route that starts at the intersection of Collins and Alsobrook streets. The parade — featuring floats, marching bands, and marchers, from schools, churches, businesses and civic and community group and organizations — will then turn right on Reynolds Street, ending at the courthouse, at Michigan Avenue.

Santa Claus is expected to make an appearance, in a mode of transportation that always has been kept under wraps and that in the past "has included a Hummer and an airboat," according to a Plant City Courier report.

"Though a new parade committee is responsible for this year's festivities, the details surrounding Santa's appearance will remain a secret," noted John Ceballos, in the Plant City Courier report.

This year's parade marhsal reportedly is Sharon Moody, who is active in civic and service organizations and serves as the parade board's treasurer.

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RELATED COVERAGE:

• Patch Portfolio: Florida Strawberry Festival Parade in Plant City