The Plant City annual Home-Town Christmas Parade has been a part of the Plant City Community for more than 60 years. The parade is a town favorite. “The committee has worked tirelessly to make this year’s parade a great success for this great city,” Sharon Moody, Parade Board President, said. “It will be more new participation in the parade that the community has not seen, more floats, and visiting participants from outside of the community.”
Last year’s parade was a success as well, but each year the Christmas parade committee tries to add a touch to outdo last year’s parade with something out of the ordinary. “The City of Plant City plays a great role with the Plant City Christmas Parade to celebrate the season,” Moody said. “We like to thank all sponsors, partners, volunteers, and the community.”
The Plant City Home-Town Christmas Parade is Friday, Dec. 1, at 7:00 p.m. The parade route will start at Collins and Ball Streets, travel north on Collins through downtown, turn right onto Reynolds Street, and end at the courthouse.
This year’s Grand Marshals are Steve and Susan Hurley. Steve and his business partner opened Stingray Chevrolet in 2005. The committee chose the couple because of the Hurleys’ participation in several local philanthropic organizations, such as Unity in the Community. “Volunteering on the Unity in the Community board is a very humbling experience,” Steve Hurly said. “I have learned so much about giving back and helping those in need from many of our board’s talented people. This experience is one of the highlights of my professional career.”
The Hurleys also support Lots of Hugs Summer Reading Camp, an educational summer camp for local youth who need a safe place with adult supervision over the summer.
The couple have a joint effort with the Plant City Kiwanis Club’s “Stuff the Bus,” putting 1,200 to 1,500 backpacks into the hands of local kids to kick start the school year. Each December, Susan Hurley and the staff of Stingray Chevrolet buy gifts for nearly 400 kids in the Kiwanis’ Angel Tree program. “We feel like it’s so important to support the community that supports our business,” Steve Hurley said. “We don’t do what we do just to sell another car or to service another truck. How can you expect a community to care about your business or feel connected to your business if you don’t first show that you care about your people and your community?”
The parade committee is excited about the upcoming parade and hopes everyone enjoys the parade as much as they do. “Our hope for this year’s parade is to keep our community safe and sound for our viewers and participants,” Moody said. “We want to make sure everyone has fun and enjoys time with their families and kids.”
