-
Photo submitted by Allison Waters-Merritt – Mrs. Claus waves to people gathered along St. Johns Avenue on Friday as she rides a float in the Palatka Christmas Parade.
Christmas music and cheers of “merry Christmas” rang in the air Friday night as the Palatka Christmas Parade marched through downtown.
Thousands of people packed nine blocks of St. Johns Avenue for the 114th iteration of the city’s day-after-Thanksgiving tradition.
While onlookers packed the streets, float after float rode down the avenue from Second Street to 11th Street. Organizer Sam Deputy stayed busy ensuring parade participants rolled out strategically.
This year, Deputy chose three grand marshals, one of them being retired Army Brig. Gen. Stewart Rodeheaver, who is from Eatonton, Ga. He is the grand-nephew of the late Homer Rodeheaver, who founded Rainbow Ranch, known today as Rodeheaver Boys Ranch.
“It’s truly a privilege to me just to come back and see one of the communities where, you know, my family’s been involved for a long time,” Stewart Rodeheaver said. “... It’s really a great honor just to see this many people come out and support the community. This is a great program y’all have got out here.”
Some people rode horses in the parade, others gave their tractors a Christmas makeover and plenty of other local organizations showed up to bring holiday spirit.
Royalty made an appearance, too, as the Miss Putnam County Fair 2023 and Miss Palatka Blue Crab 2023 had their own floats with their royal courts.
Leslie Sims, Miss Palatka Blue Crab 2023, said she was excited to be part of this year’s Christmas parade.
“The day after Thanksgiving, it’s the perfect time to get in the Christmas spirit,” she said. “So, getting up here in a big ole ballgown, it’s a bit of a tradition in my family because I’ve been doing these pageants for years.”
At least 100 floats were in this year’s parade, with the classic Santa Claus serving as the grand finale.
“This is one way to kick off the Christmas spirit,” Stewart Rodeheaver said as the parade was about to begin.
Although neither county nor city officials organized the parade, plenty participated. Palatka Mayor Robbi Correa, who stepped into office last year, has been involved for numerous years, going back to when she used to judge the floats.
“Everybody seems to enjoy it, and it brings us into the holiday season and holiday spirit,” Correa said. “It’s wonderful that we have Mr. Rodeheaver here as our grand marshal. It’s just, I think, a great event and a great time.”
