KEY WEST HOLIDAY PARADE SPREADS CHEER & CANDY

By
Mandy Miles
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a group of people dressed in christmas costumes
Key West’s annual Holiday Parade makes its way down Truman Avenue and Duval Street on Dec. 7. Featuring 101 entries, the event included marching bands, dancing groups, singers, snow machines, the Grinch, and, of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus. Photos by LARRY BLACKBURN and CAROL TEDESCO

Key West’s annual holiday parade featured 101 entries this year, including appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus, the Grinch, marching bands, dance groups, snow machines and even a festively dressed alpaca from the Sheriff’s Animal Farm.

The parade stretched along Truman Avenue and then turned right on Duval Street, where throngs of kids clamored for the candy being tossed from the floats. The city’s parade is part of Key West Holiday Fest, a month-long collection of holiday events. For a full schedule, visit keywestholidayfest.com. And remember, Waterfront Winter Wonderland opens Friday, Dec. 13 at the Coffee Butler Amphitheater and features rides, slides, snow and ice skating until Dec. 28.  Visit waterfrontwinterwonderland.com for details.

a woman in a costume is walking a llama down the street
a woman in a santa suit singing into a microphone
a group of people standing around a christmas tree
a group of women dressed in red and black dancing in the street
a group of people dressed in christmas costumes
Key West’s annual Holiday Parade makes its way down Truman Avenue and Duval Street on Dec. 7. Featuring 101 entries, the event included marching bands, dancing groups, singers, snow machines, the Grinch, and, of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus. Photos by LARRY BLACKBURN and CAROL TEDESCO
a bus decorated with christmas lights and pictures
Mandy Miles
Mandy Miles
Mandy Miles drops stuff, breaks things and falls down more than any adult should. An award-winning writer, reporter and columnist, she's been stringing words together in Key West since 1998. "Local news is crucial," she says. "It informs and connects a community. It prompts conversation. It gets people involved, holds people accountable. The Keys Weekly takes its responsibility seriously. Our owners are raising families in Key West & Marathon. Our writers live in the communities we cover - Key West, Marathon & the Upper Keys. We respect our readers. We question our leaders. We believe in the Florida Keys community. And we like to have a good time." Mandy's married to a saintly — and handy — fishing captain, and can't imagine living anywhere else.

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