Sebring Christmas Parade a hit

Minutes before the Sebring Christmas Parade kicked off Thursday, just enough of a drizzle chilled necks and noses on some of the thousands of people who lined up along the parade route to enjoy the festivities.

Some folks came prepared with canvas chairs, hooded jackets and umbrellas.

There was a show of patriotism as hats came off and hands covered hearts, or formed a perfect salute to the flag of the United States when a Sebring Police Department color guard led the parade.

As the color guard entered the Circle, the Carousel of Lights switched on and to the pleasure of the crowd Circle Park became a glowing wonderland.

The color guard was followed closely by a Sebring police car driven by Chief Tom Dettman with his grandson Austin at his side.

Grand Marshall Jackie Rawlings waved to the crowd followed by the marching steps of the Sebring High School Air Force Junior ROTC.

In front of Sebring City Hall, members of the Kahn Citrus Management Relay for Life Team, in conjunction with the Angels of Hope, operated a food stand with hot dogs, pizza, candy, sodas and hot drinks.

"We actually started setting up around 4 (p.m.)," said Rachael Wilkins, who added sales were kind of slow while they waited for the crowd to swell.

What was their best seller?

"We've been selling a lot of hot dogs so far," she said, as a customer ordered a couple of dogs and some hot chocolate.

All the proceeds were for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life.

Sebring Mayor George Hensley and his family waved from a decked out convertible followed by Sebring City Council President John Griffin, Councilman Bud Whitlock and Highlands County Commissioner Barbara Stewart.

The theme of the parade was "Cartoon Characters from Christmas Past." The Grinch rode a float pulled by Cross Country Automotive, who won the award for best use of theme. Among several marchers in cartoon costume was Frosty the Snowman.

The Palms of Sebring, who won the award for best overall float, had their own Grinch, but he couldn't make it rain enough to dampen the fun. Marchers pulled a lovely Christmas tree on wheels.

The very popular Santa's Toy Train from Florida Hospital drew cheers from the crowd, as did the dancers from Stepz Dance Studio and the Heacock Insurance float. Heacock won the award for best business representation.

Annett Bus Lines entered its bus advertising its "Stuff the Bus Toy Drive."

Tamra Annett, sales and marketing director for the bus line, said they were picking up toys Thursday, but would continue to take in toys at their host sites, four Heartland National Bank sites, Wells Dodge Chrysler, Sebring Signs and Promotions.

The unwrapped toys collected will benefit boys and girls ages 2 to 12 at the Redland Christian Migrant Association and New Testament Church and Mission.

"They're having their annual children's holiday party next Tuesday," she said, speaking of RCMA.

Heartland National and MIDFLORIDA banks had their parade entries as well.

Advanced performers with The Edge Cheer Center wowed the crowd with some exciting high-flying cheerleading moves lifting their partners up for a basket toss and catching them safely before they hit the pavement.

"We have a great bunch of kids," said owner Janet Rowe on Friday. "These are our competitive cheerleaders and they are headed for competition on Sunday in Orlando."

Carli Watt, Sebring High School's homecoming queen, rode atop a convertible and waved genteelly to onlookers.

A character in a pig suit with long blonde pigtails led the way for the Woody's Barbecue float.

A trailer filled with cute little children dressed as reindeer were pursued by dancers from Dance Unlimited, dressed in red outfits trimmed in white fur. They won the award for the best walking group.

Union Congregation Church took the award for having the most Christmas Spirit.

Another several dozen floats, dance groups, beauty queens, cartoon characters, fire departments, organizations and a long line of motorcycles from the Latin American Motorcycle Association and GR Racing went by, each impressive in their own way.

Beauty queens included Morgan Kohl, Miss Florida Teen; Celeste Breylinger, Junior Miss Highlands County and Hannah Allen, Miss Avon Park Chamber.

The Sebring High School marching band led the procession for Santa's house. The young children's eyes lit up when the long awaited Santa and Mrs. Claus charmed them all at the conclusion of the nearly hour and a half-long parade.

There were about 70 entrees in all, according to Dusty Johnson, parade organizer and president of the Heartland Young Professionals.

Angel Nowling, who was downtown on behalf of Kahn Citrus and the Relay for Life team, had another tiny reason for being there.

"My little girl Chastity, (who is 4 years old) rode in the DeSoto City (Volunteer) Fire Department truck," said Nowling.

Synella West of Sebring said her favorite float was the last one with Santa and Mrs. Claus, "because the city of Sebring did that one," she said.

She, too, was busy with the Relay folks and Angels of Hope. She actually missed most of the parade although she was standing just a few feet from the roadway because she was serving food.