IN PICTURES: SECOND ANNUAL TROPICAL HOLIDAY FUN FEST FILLS MARATHON COMMUNITY PARK

By
Alex Rickert
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Prodigy Dance Center’s performers gather for a group photo. CONTRIBUTED

A second iteration of the City of Marathon’s Tropical Holiday Fun Fest drew its largest crowd yet as hundreds of children and families made their way to the Marathon Community Park on Dec. 9. With bounce houses, face painting and multiple free food options provided by local organizations, a show by the young performers from Prodigy Dance Center headlined the evening before a visit from Santa Claus.

A lit walkway welcomes visitors to the park. ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly
Prodigy co-owner and director Lisa Scobba, right, and Juliet Robleto.
Routines from Prodigy Dance Center’s young stars were the highlight of the evening. ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly
Routines from Prodigy Dance Center’s young stars were the highlight of the evening. ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly
Every performer deserves flowers. Just ask Isla Wohlers. CONTRIBUTED
From left, Amelia Palma, Angela Palma, Arabella Palma, Mema and Pap greet Kris Kringle. ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly.
From left, Hazel Valerdi and Jennifer and Jocelyn Lopez say hello to Santa. ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly.
From left, Amelia Palma, Angela Palma, Arabella Palma, Mema and Pap greet Kris Kringle. ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly.
The Turtle Hospital’s Chrissy Watt, left, and Belle Zirkelbach staff a photo booth for Tina the Turtle. ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly

Areas decorated by the Marathon New Life Church, the Turtle Hospital, Houston Air, the Marathon Community United Methodist Church and the Marathon Veterinary Hospital line the ‘Pathways to Christmas’ at the community park. ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly

Alex Rickert
Alex Rickert
Alex Rickert made the perfectly natural career progression from dolphin trainer to newspaper editor in 2021 after freelancing for Keys Weekly while working full time at Dolphin Research Center. A resident of Marathon since 2015, he fell in love with the Florida Keys community by helping multiple organizations and friends rebuild in the wake of Hurricane Irma. An avid runner, actor, and spearfisherman, he spends as much of his time outside of work on or under the sea having civil disagreements with sharks.

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