Timing and weather are 2 big factors in trying to plan an outdoor venue. But with Tampa’s “Super Santa Weathermen” on your side the challenge and chance of storms reduces. With that said, Kudos to the Annual Snow On 7th planning committee, Stephen Moss, Florida Entertainment, GaYBOR, YCDC and artistic holiday parade guru, Matthew Stanoch. It was truly a work of majestic heartfelt art.

    The hopeful 50% increase in attendance was blasted away with a whopping 200% community increase with over 45,000 families and friends having a great night out in the historic snowy dreamland. It all started in front of Centro Ybor with the 7th Ave street staged modern dance performances, Holiday Singing acts and the poised crowd overwhelmingly loved it.

    I traveled to the many different staging areas of the parade for the nighttime snowfall in GaYBOR/ Ybor City.  The dressing & costume room was filled with volunteers fitting into their costumes for the enchanted night. Elves, Ginger Bread men, Sugar Plum Fairies, Dancing Bears, Santa Helpers, Christmas Trees, Charles Dicken’s “Scrooge”  plus another 2 dozen characters were all coming out of the make-up and costume cottage. Thank You to GaYBOR members and YC Residents volunteering for holding banners and showing spirit into the night holiday spectacular. All FREE for the community’s enjoyment.

    The staging area for the 14 marching bands, floats and Tampa dignitaries took on a new meaning. It was Ybor’s 8th Ave battle of the high school bands. A conglomerate of music trading holiday band tunes and ringing from warm ups with the 14 marching bands brass instrument players and drum corps. They were louder than the 10 pm CSX Railroad train locomotive’s air horn thru Ybor City! Still  in colorful dance team outfits and band uniforms getting ready to show off their schools pride to friends, parents and grandparents watching them perform during the upcoming 75 degree snowy blizzard marching performance on the holiday decorated lamp avenue.

  The invited floats included sponsors Italiano Insurance, Ybor City Development Corp, the Krewe of Alegria, Tampa’s 1950’s historic Fire Truck with Tampa Fire Rescue Chief Thomas Forward & distinguished wife doing the honors of driving the big “Mack” highly polished red fire truck. The new Tampa Police Captain for Ybor City area, Capt. Ruben Delgado with wife and family and the Ybor City Fire Rescue Team & Truck. Lastly, were the Tampa leaders from downtown’s City Hall. Honorable and smiling Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn and wife, Dr. Catherine Lynch Buckhorn were in the white decorated horse drawn canopied draped carriage. Tampa City Council members riding in convertibles were Honorable Lisa Montelione, Charlie Miranda, Mike Suarez, Harry Cohen, Frank Reddick and daughter of  Councilwoman Yvonne “Yolie” Capin.

    People of all ages cheered and celebrated the visually snowy themed night. At the end of the parade were Mike Olds, Scott W and Rich K.  handing out water bottles to all the drained out energy marching high school band members.