By: Katie Gwinn-Layout Editor
With the remains of Thanksgiving turkeys placed well in the back of refrigerators and Black Friday specials drawing to a close, Christmas is certainly in the air. Winter songs are playing on the radio, houses are decorated with lights, and even Saint Leo University has set up a manger and Christmas tree in the center of campus.
However, the real treat this Christmas season will be in historic Downtown Dade City on Friday December 2,2011, when local businesses and the Dade City Chamber of Commerce will team together to put on the Magical Night Christmas Parade. With its thousands of lights, decorated floats, choreographed dancers, and local marching bands, the parade is sure to be a hit for the thousands of spectators that come to watch every year. Santa and Mrs. Claus even plan to make an appearance during the parade festivities, and both locals and visitors will delight in the annual lighting of the Downtown Dade City Christmas tree which will take place on the Courthouse lawn.
The parade festivities will start promptly at 7 pm, on historical 7th street of Downtown Dade City, but Santa and his wife won’t be the only surprise in town. Saint Leo University athletic representatives will be walking in the parade alongside Dade City locals and Christmas performers. As Saint Leo continues to strengthen their ties with the surrounding Dade City community, student-athletes from various teams will participate in the festivities and maybe even get to meet Santa himself.
