45th annual Christmas Parade winners announced
December 25, 2023
Our 45th annual Christmas Parade was held on Saturday, Dec. 9.
There were 3,000-plus spectators that lined the sidewalks from Carmelita up to Taylor Street in downtown Punta Gorda to get an amazing front-row view of the 80-plus floats, cars, trucks, boats and performing groups. It was one of the best parades we’ve had with an ever-larger crowd in attendance.
Last Wednesday at our Third Wednesday Coffee all the parade winners were announced and presented with their trophy’s and plaques. It certainly takes a village to put on a successful event such as this. It all starts with thanking our wonderful parade judges: David Adorno, ShorePoint Health Port Charlotte/Punta Gorda, Marcia Cullinan, Michael Saunders & Co., Tony Smith, Ashley, Brown & Smith, CPAs, and Cheyenne Young, Wotitzky Law Firm. Special thanks goes out to our master of ceremonies, Mike Riley, who always does a fabulous job announcing each parade entry.
Our appreciation goes out to Steve Lineberry, Premier Photographic Events, for being our parade chair this year. We are extremely grateful for JNA Studios, who produced and provided the professional video of the parade. Last but certainly not least, this could not have happened without all our volunteers and chamber staff, who worked tirelessly to ensure every detail was executed.
Now on to our 45th Annual Christmas Parade Award winners:
Best Decorated Float: 3rd Place: Charlotte Preparatory School; 2nd Place: Sally Jones Elementary School Chorus; 1st Place: Charlotte Harbor Parrott Head Club.
Best Car/Truck: 3rd Place: GFWC Port Charlotte Women’s Club; 2nd Place: Visual Arts Center; 1st Place: Lesley Barton, Coldwell Banker Sunstar Realty.
President’s Award (presented by Nick Worden, Crews Bank & Trust, Chamber Board President): Charlotte County Soccer Federation.
Grand Marshall Award (presented by Ruth Uzonyi, Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce): Charlotte Preparatory School.
Again, on behalf of our Board of Directors and staff, we wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful holiday season.
Special events
Decades Pop Trivia: 5:30–7:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 25 at Twisted Fork, 2208 El Joban Rd., Port Charlotte. Hosted by the Charlotte County Chamber Social Club. Test your music trivia knowledge from the 50’s-80’s. Open to the Public. $20 per person Food/drinks available for purchase. To sign up, visit charlottecountychamber.org or call the chamber office at 941-627-2222.
13th annual Business Expo (Hottest Business Day in Paradise): 10 a.m.–3 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024 at Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center, 75 Taylor St., Punta Gorda. Free and open to the public. Imagine marketing your business in an 8-by-10-foot booth and having 1,000-plus visitors and residents see the products and services you provide. You will have the opportunity to see more folks in a matter of five hours than you may see in a month. This will be an excellent environment for maximum business exposure for sales, lead generation and develop great connections. Plus, there will be over 90 other exhibitors for business-to-business to develop client/customer relationships. Deadline to reserve you booth is Tuesday, Jan. 23. There will be no late entries accepted. To reserve your booth, visit charlottecountychamber.org or call the chamber office at 941-627-2222.
Bob White is executive director of the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce.