BY MARK J. CRAWFORD
A longer Christmas parade in Starke this year will serve as a preview of what is to come.
Scheduled as always on the second Tuesday evening in December, organizers have stretched the parade route further down U.S. 301 and decided to close all four lanes to do so.
Pam Whittle, president of the North Florida Regional Chamber of Commerce, said people found closing half the highway in prior years “scary.” Working with the sheriff’s office and the Downtown Merchants, they are now planning to close all four lanes down to Washington Street for the parade’s duration.
The parade will still line up on Call Street in front of HCA Florida Starke Emergency. It will proceed west on Call Street to U.S. 301, then turn right and head north to Washington Street, where it will turn left and disband at the school district parking lot. Previously the parade would turn right onto Jefferson Street and disband at city hall. The new route lengthens the parade and allows the crowd a more immersive view from both sides of the highway.
The route will be reversed in future years when there is no construction downtown. The parade will line up beside the high school and disband at the Downtown Square.
In proposing the new route, Starke commissioners were also reminded that candy is not distributed from the parade for safety’s sake.
The parade will begin at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13. Entry applications are available at the chamber office, 100 E. Call St. in Starke. Call 904-964-5278 or email [email protected]. The deadline to enter is Tuesday, Dec. 9.
Some other Christmas activities have been announced for Dec. 13 including a car show downtown sponsored by the Arc of Bradford County and a photo opportunity with Santa and Mrs. Claus in front of the chamber from 3-4:30 p.m.
Shop Small Saturday
Saturday, Dec. 29, is Shop Small Saturday. Everyone is encouraged to support local merchants in return for all the support they provide the community. In addition to local shops and restaurants, vendors will be in downtown Starke providing even more opportunity to find the perfect gift or treat yourself.
