I am writing this on behalf of the parade committee to express a special thanks to all those who devoted their time to make the annual Holiday Parade this past Sunday (12/10) a successful show of small town Americana.
This year's parade had 76 units and 2,250 plus participating. The Jupiter Tequesta Athletic Association (JTAA) once again sponsored the annual Holiday Parade.
The parade committee is an all volunteer group. The Town of Jupiter and the Village of Tequesta support us with a great deal of logistical help. Thank you to Jupiter's Town Manager Andrew Lukasik, Mayor Karen Golonka and the Town Council. Thank you to the Village of Tequesta's Village Manager Michael R. Couzzo, Jr., Mayor Jim Humpage and the Village Council.
Thank you to Jupiter and Tequesta Police Departments for their corporation in coordinating traffic and crowd control. I would like to also acknowledge the following: The Jupiter Tequesta Repeater Group for all of our communication support, Rinker Concrete Company in Tequesta for letting us use there parking lot over the years for our Reviewing/Judges area. Our parade Judges, volunteers from the Jr. Woman's Club. The Jupiter Courier for Santa's beautiful Float. Ed Napleton Dodge on Indiantown Rd for the beautiful convertibles. And to those who volunteered their personal convertibles to drive our dignitaries.
Our Toys for Tots program collected approximately 475 toys. The Marine Corps motto is "Semper Fi", meaning always faithful. A big thank you, to everyone who donated so many wonderful toys and thank you for being faithful to our local Marines.
And what would our parade be without Santa taking time out of his busy schedule to greet our children. Special thanks to our parade sponsor the JTAA for setting aside the operating budget necessary for this parade.
Next year's parade will be Sunday, December 9, 2007. Everyone is welcome to come and ring in the holidays and help us celebrate the 31sth anniversary of this parade. All are encouraged to enter a float or have a marching group in next year's parade.
The committee wishes you and yours a Healthy and Happy New Year!
Michael Cesarano
(For the complete roster of winners in this year's parade, log onto www.jupitercourier.com.)