The 27th Annual Palms West Chamber Holiday Parade salutes our troops- December 12, 2010
The 27th Annual Palms West Chamber Holiday Parade, sponsored by Schumacher Family of Dealerships was enjoyed by thousands of spectators in the Western Communities on Sunday December 12th. This year’s theme, “Home for the Holidays” was a tribute to our brave men and women who serve our country, many of whom are home for the holidays for the first time since their deployment, and to those who are currently serving and cannot be home with their families. Our Grand Marshalls this year, representing each branch of the Armed Forces were Wellington’s 1st Sergeant Bobby Parlor (Army), also from Wellington, Technical Sergeant Kalvin Williams (Air Force), Staff Sergeant Pierre Michele( Marines), Petty Officer Steven Cruz( Navy) and Petty Officer 1st Class Eric Smith(Coast Guard). This year’s parade also featured a steel column from the World Trade Center as a tribute to the innocent lives that were lost in the 911 disaster. The column will be the centerpiece of a new park being built in Wellington, later this year, called Patriot Park.
Miss Palm Beach County, Jessica Whittenbrink opened the afternoon’s festivities by singing the National Anthem. Then Mayor Darell Bowen sounded the air horn to signal the start of the 8th Annual Holiday Mile. And at 1:00 pm, the 27th Annual Palms West Holiday Parade with over 125 entries made their way down Forest Hill Blvd. The crowds enjoyed 7 marching bands, creative floats from different community organizations based on the “Home for the Holidays” theme, Girl Scout troops, Cub Scout troops, antique cars, twirlers, PBSO Units, Fire Rescue vehicles, and Costumed Characters. The winning entries were:
Decorated Vehicle:
1.A Second Chance Puppy and Rescue
2. Nature’s Bouquet
Adult Float:
1. American German Club
2. International Polo Club
Equestrian:
Gold Coast Arabian Club
Performing Group:
1. Palm Beach Matrix
2. Wellington Elementary: Team Wellington Twirlers
Juvenile Float:
1. Cub Scout Pack 118
2. Acreage Girls Flag Football
Band:
1. Seminole Ridge High School
2. Wellington Community High School
Marching Group:
Star Wars – 501st Legion
Binks Forest Elementary
Best in Show:
Knights of Columbus
The Holiday Park was located in the Town Center showcased entertainment on the Community Amphitheater stage, vendors and bounce houses was opened from 10 am to 5pm for all to enjoy.
The day of festivities would not have been be possible without the invaluable co-operation of Wellington, PBSO, the Palm Beach County Fire and Rescue and the generosity of the presenting sponsor Schumacher Family of Dealerships. Other Community Sponsors include: Waste Management, South Florida Fair, The Mall at Wellington Green. TKM Farms, The City of Greenacres, the Palm Beach Post Republic Services of Palm Beach, Fidelity Investments, Southern Palm Crossings, The Village Shoppes at 441, Callery-Judge Grove, Wellington Golf Cars, FP&L, Ric Bradshaw-PBSO, Wellington Regional Hospital, Boynton Financial Group, Whole Foods Market, Two Men and a Truck, Di Salvo’s, I’m Greek Today, Starbucks, Grapeseeker Advertising and Design, Hill Audio Visual, JJ Muggs, Print-it Plus. Media Partners include The Palm Beach Post, Town Crier, Wellington the Magazine, The Forum Group, Around Wellington.