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Highlands Today

Golf Cart Parade Ushers In Christmas At Fairmount Estates

Mandy Sheets/Highlands Today

Dee Ingraham, coordinator of Fairmount Estates golf cart parade, talks with Maxine Hannah and Kay Hankley before Monday's parade starts.

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By MANDY SHEETS | Highlands Today

Published: December 19, 2007

SEBRING — Most people trim a tree and lots of people hang lights on their house, but residents in Fairmount Estates decorate something else with holiday cheer – their golf carts.

"It's a little strange to decorate a golf cart, but it's something that is definitely unique to Florida," said Thelma Story, who decorated her cart with garland and battery-operated lights for the park's golf cart parade. "It's also nice to get out and meet your neighbors and wish everyone Merry Christmas."

Harry Hicks, perched atop a golf cart decorated like a present, made a lot of people smile. His wife, Pat Hicks, used cardboard boxes and Christmas tablecloths to transform the cart into a gift, complete with a bow on top next to her husband.

"I guess he makes a pretty good present," Pat Hicks quipped about her husband. "I don't think I would return him."

Neighbors in Fairmount Estates elected Maxine Hannah as the grand marshal of the third annual parade, and she wore a crown of gold-star garland and a purple feather boa to distinguish her title.

"I've lived here 22 years, and I always have a lot of fun," Hannah said. "Everyone is very friendly, and we love events like this because it gives up something to do.

"This is my third year decorating my cart and as long as it keeps running, I will be in it."
Nancy Newell dressed her toy poodle Lacey in a Santa Claus outfit for the parade and decorated her red golf cart with 300 lights, garland and poinsettias.

Dee Ingraham, who coordinated the parade, said she chose to buy a place in Fairmount Estates because of activities like the parade and potluck dinner that followed.

"We like the fact that we don't have a monthly activity fee, but we still have the fellowship and are around people our own age," Ingraham said. "Plus we feel safe here because we know our neighbors look out for us."

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