Siesta Key leaders start parade plans

It is only be June, but Siesta Key residents met at the offices of Cheryl Gaddie Designs and Smith Architects to start planning the November Siesta Key holiday parade.

Members of the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce, the Siesta Key Village Association, and the Siesta Key Association on June 12, sat hunched over a glass dining table in the offices of Smith Architects and Cheryl Gaddie Designs on the north end of the Village. The crew of seven analyzed various route options and discussed how to attract more floats to the parade, which was revived in 2010.

“It’s hard right now for people to commit but they’ve got to understand this will be here before you know it,” said Russell Matthes, vice president of the chamber and president of SKVA. He compared the lengthy planning process of the parade to that of the Siesta Key Fourth of July fireworks show.

The group, led by parade coordinator Cheryl Gaddie, hope to attract more participants this year than what they had in 2011. “It’s relatively easy to get 20 (floats), but we really have to get 30,” Gaddie said. If they don’t get a float for Santa Claus then they plan to potentially have him driven in by a fire truck, which was the case last year.

Parade organizers don’t have any live music confirmed and are seeking bands to play during the parade, said Cheryl Gaddie. Photographers are another need, for promotional and unexpected humorous happenings. “(Last year) We had to push the fire truck and nobody got a picture,” van Roekens said.

Thousands of spectators came out for last year’s parade, and organizers are hoping for another packed and jolly Village. “We need sponsors and we need participants. Period,” Gaddie said.

For more on the holiday parade planning pick up a copy of the June 14, issue of the Pelican Press.

To sign up to participate in the parade contact Cheryl Gaddie at 941.346.7401 by phone or send an email to [email protected].