Annual Christmas Street Parade Returns

The weather was perfect for an island parade last Saturday, and when the magic hour of 6:30 p.m. arrived, so did the official kick-off of the 2021 Christmas Island Style Annual (CIS) Street Parade.

As early as Wednesday, the areas along the parade route on San Marco Road from Balfour Drive to South Barfield began filling in.

Last year, a modified event in Veterans Community Park was held due to the COVID pandemic, which paled in comparison to the typically well-received Christmas Street Parade and its three- decade history on the island.

Last Saturday’s event left no one disappointed. Excitement grew with every passing moment, as the crowd eagerly awaited the parade’s start. When the Marco Island Police Department Color Guard led the parade sharply at 6:30 p.m., they were greeted with the applause and cheers of onlookers. They were followed by Police Chief Tracy Frazzano, who, to the delight of the crowd, marched the entire length of the route while greeting both young and old.

The CIS Parade Committee began setting up the staging area early Saturday morning, carefully measuring each space according to the applications that were submitted over the last two months. Greg Schneider and Barbara Dasti carefully laid out the staging logistics for the streets that intersect with Balfour Drive, ensuring that all the entries had the necessary room, and encouraging them to follow the event instructions.

“We did have some challenges dealing with the construction, which was just recently begun at the Heathwood and San Marco Road intersection, but we were able to adapt to them and it went relatively smoothly,” said the stoic Schneider.

Over the last 17 years, the Christmas Island Style Committee has asked those attending the parade to bring unwrapped presents to be donated to those in need. Since then, numerous donations have been made, starting with the delivery to Pass Christian in Mississippi, which had a direct connection with Pastor Kyle Bennet, the former pastor of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church on Marco Island.

A Christmas sled, which was custom-built by the late local contractor Tom Phillips, was donated to Christmas Island Style. Each year, the sled is pulled in the parade, leading recreational 

motorcyclists from the Marco Riders, who each bring a toy as a donation. In the spirit of the season, adults and children place gifts in the sled as it passes by their location. This year was no exception, and the sleigh was overflowing with the generous donations, which were also piled up in the rear of the SUV that pulled it.

School bands from Lely, Marco Island Charter Middle School and Golden Gate filled the air with music as they proceeded down the San Marco Road parade route, to everyone’s delight. In addition to music, the air was filled with smells of the delicious offerings along the route, leading to the judges’ stands near Ace Hardware towards the end of the parade.

Judges for the parade carefully reviewed their materials and notes while Committee Chair Wanda Burson assisted, and City Council Chairman Erik Brechnitz and his wife enjoyed the parade from the stands.

When the official tally of votes were counted, the results were in.

The next Christmas Island Style event will be the 2021 Annual Christmas Boat Parade on Saturday, December 18, starting at 6 p.m. Information for the Boat Parade, including the event route and entry forms, can be found on the committee’s website, along with information regarding other holiday events. Simply go to www.christmasislandstyle.com or check their Facebook page.