- May 23, 2025
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Santa Claus offers gifts to the kids on the Big Cat Habitat float, including Elijah Frey, 8 (second from left).
Photo by Ian SwabyMembers of the Sarasota Ski-A-Rees Water Ski Show Team climb into a pyramid.
Photo by Ian SwabyMadda Romero, Bella Romero, 6, Jorge Romero and Megha Romero, 2, meet Santa Claus.
Photo by Ian SwabySamoor Grotto members Jon and Sandy Lewis, Monarch Tom Davie, Clara Rojas and Debbie Maust
Photo by Ian SwabyThe police prepare to escort the parade.
Photo by Ian SwabyTracey Hull of YMCA makes her way along the parade route.
Photo by Ian SwabyThe CreArte Latino float arrives.
Photo by Ian SwabyTasman Henry, a senior with Sailor Circus Academy, was a stilt walker in the parade.
Photo by Ian SwabyA Santa's Workshop vehicle approaches.
Photo by Ian SwabyBMX makes its way along the parade route.
Photo by Ian SwabySanta Claus arrives as the parade ends.
Photo by Ian SwabyEmilia Wilson, 9, and Rocket, walked with the Humane Society of Sarasota Conunty.
Photo by Ian SwabyJosé Flores, Norita Sandoval and Alexander Cubillos of CreArte Latino prepare for the parade.
Photo by Ian SwabyDavid Bartos, 5, sits in the driver's seat of a fire engine.
Photo by Ian SwabyScout Reid, 8, accepts Cupcake the goat, as she sits beside Wyatt Schmidt, 9, and Ashley Schmidt, on the Big Cat Habitat float.
Photo by Ian SwabySarasota High School cheerleaders walk in the parade.
Photo by Ian SwabyPaul Danko and Terry Deshaies walked with The Dark Side.
Photo by Ian SwabyEugene Nock waves from the Batmobile.
Photo by Ian SwabyHans Ocampo, Oliver Ocampo, 2, Yahoira Ocampo and Dominic Ocampo, 4, meet Santa Claus.
Photo by Ian SwabyThe Sarasota Holiday Parade saw the man in the red suit, Santa Claus.
Yet it was also a showcase of Sarasota, with organizations and businesses in the area having the chance to put their community spirit on display.
For instance, Terry Deshaies, riding with The Dark Side - Comics & Games, enjoys dressing as Freddy Mercury and leading the crowds in chants of "Ay-Oh!" each year.
Among the many participants featured were animals from the Humane Society of Sarasota County, talented students from organizations, including Sailor Circus Academy and the giant puppets of CreArte Latino.
Monarch Tom Davie of Samoor Grotto, a Masonic organization that helps special needs children with dental issues, said the parade was important for making the community aware of the organization's presence.
"We've been here quite a number of years, over and over and over again," he said. "They finally recognize who we are. You've got to continue. You can't show up once and not go do it again. We like it. It's our hometown, so why wouldn't we? We're part of the community."
Katlyn Turner of Acro Fit Gymnastics called the parade a "really good team bonding experience" for the organization's young gymnasts.
"We love the holiday parade," she said. "The Sarasota Holiday Parade organization does such an amazing job every year. We have a really good time."
