Chamber Christmas parades open for applications

Airboat Adventures decked out their boat and the miniature boat in the back of the pickup truck at the 2019 Christmas Parade in downtown Crystal River.

The Greener Side Haven animal sanctuary float is adorned with animal costumes and a gingerbread house Friday at the 2019 Inverness Christmas Parade. This year’s theme was “A Florida Christmas.” 

The Citrus County Chamber of Commerce would like to announce the 2020 Crystal River and Inverness Christmas parades.

This year, we are taking you back to a simpler time — a time when Christmas was about homemade gifts and generational traditions. From tinsel to popcorn garland, hand-painted dolls to matchbox cars, celebrate the true meaning of Christmas with this year’s theme, “A Vintage Christmas!”

Applications for parade entries are now open for review. Interested parties can apply online at https://tinyurl.com/y2fhwnno.

In line with CDC Guidelines, the Chamber recommends parade viewers practice social distancing and use face coverings when social distancing is not possible. Parade participants will be asked to use precautions during staging; hand washing stations will be readily available. To reduce physical interaction, handing out or “tossing” of anything along the parade route will be strictly prohibited.

If you are feeling ill, it is encouraged that you please stay home. Alternatively, the Chamber has partnered with Digital Hound Media to offer those unable to attend the option to view the parades in real time via Facebook LiveStream.

Airboat Adventures decked out their boat and the miniature boat in the back of the pickup truck at the 2019 Christmas Parade in downtown Crystal River.

Be entranced by an evening of sparkling lights and music as the floats glide down U.S. 19.  Come early and do some Christmas shopping with area merchants and then enjoy a pre-parade dinner at a lovely restaurant.      

Parade route: South on U.S. 19 from Citrus Avenue in downtown Crystal River to Paradise Point (one block north of Fort Island Trail). Note that only the southbound side of U.S. 19 is closed for the parade, so be certain to set up on the west side of the roadway.                                                            

The Greener Side Haven animal sanctuary float is adorned with animal costumes and a gingerbread house Friday at the 2019 Inverness Christmas Parade. This year’s theme was “A Florida Christmas.” 

The annual Inverness Christmas Parade beings at noon Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, and travels down SR 44 from Citrus High School to downtown Inverness.  Stay after the parade for a late lunch and support our local businesses with some Christmas shopping at the many fine Inverness area merchants.

Parade route: East on SR 44 (Gulf to Lake Hwy) from Hendrix Ave. (Pizza Hut) to Highland Blvd.  Viewing is from both sides of the roadway.

For more information, call 352-795-3149 or the visit events tab on the Citrus County Chamber of Commerce Facebook page. To apply as a parade participant, fill out the application available at https://tinyurl.com/y2fhwnno. The livestreams of the parades will be available on Citrus County Live at https://tinyurl.com/y6gm9p8z.

Source: https://www.chronicleonline.com/chamber-christmas-parades-open-for-applications/article_47603e96-16da-11eb-a81c-0b5f10ecd487.html

Christmas Day