- December 27, 2024
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Christmas tunes sung by the Ormond Beach Choral Society filled the air at the Ormond Beach City Hall Plaza prior to the tree lighting ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 11. Mayor Bill Partington declared a happy holidays to all as he and the city commissioners walked toward the tree to flip the oversized “light switch.” The night’s festivities had officially begun.
In a flash of lights and scream of sirens, the Ormond Beach Police Department led the 30th-annual Home for the Holidays parade in front of an anticipatory crowd gathered along U.S. 1, Granada Boulevard and South Beach Street.
Residents, including their friends and families, joined in the revelry after last year’s parade had become a casualty of the dreaded COVID-19 cancellations. This year, the city of Ormond Beach also increased protection for both parade participants and observers by strategically placing work vehicles across the entrance to Beach Street and the Granada bridge.
Ormond Beach Police Explorers were used to help people cross safely and stop children from running out in front of the parade vehicles. It was Evan Doane’s first year as an explorer.
“I never knew it was a thing until my coach told me,” he said. “From the first day, I’ve been really intrigued so I’m sticking in. I really like this.”
The event is a draw for local schools, dance troupes, businesses and organizations. This year’s theme was “Holiday Broadcasts,” which presented an opportunity to share some holiday cheer with a favorite movie or TV performance, a message or a snow-spewing float.
Keylin Tishler, Sera Albrecht and Margueritte Pittochi represented Seabreeze High School by singing Christmas carols with their American Music Theater class.
“We love singing and helping out the community,” Pittochi said.