The Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce 29th Annual Wellington Holiday Parade
The Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce 29th Annual Wellington Holiday Parade, “Holiday in Paradise” sponsored by Schumacher Family of Dealerships and The Wellington Preservation Coalition, put smiles on the faces of the spectators and participants alike on Sunday, December 9th. The day started out with the Holiday Mile with Mayor Bob Margolis sounding the air horn to begin the race down Forest Hill Blvd. Eleven high schools, middle schools and elementary schools from the Western Communities participated in the mile long race. The top three schools with the most participants were Wellington Community Elementary, Emerald Cove Middle School and Wellington High School. Each of the winning schools received a $500 check donated by the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce and a traveling trophy.
The 29th annual Wellington parade was another fabulous event with over 20,000 spectators who came out to get into the holiday spirit by viewing over 127 entries of brightly decorated floats and vehicles, marching bands, performing groups and to see local celebrities and dignitaries waving to the crowds. In celebration of the Equestrian Season and the 2012 Olympic year, our Grand Marshals were Olympian Equestrians and Wellington residents, Margie Engle and Todd Minikus. Margie Engle, originally from Miami, now based in Wellington, rode for the United States at the Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia and was a member of the United States Silver Medal team at the World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany in 2006. Engle is a ten-time American Grand Prix Association Rider of the Year and is America’s winningest grand prix rider with nearly 200 wins. Todd Minikus is based in Loxahatchee, Florida. In 2001 Todd was named the Horseman of the Year. He was a member of the Bronze medal team at the Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2007. He is the 1997 winner of the $100,000 Budweiser American Invitational and a five-time winner of the Budweiser Grand Prix of Indianapolis. He also won the $100,000 Rolex/USET Show Jumping Championship in 2001. Todd was the alternate for the USET 2000 Olympic Show Jumping squad in Sydney Australia. Adding to the equestrian theme this year and showcasing what Wellington is famous for not only during season but throughout the year, the parade had additional equestrian entries. Thanks to the generosity of Palm Stables, Palm Beach Riding Academy and Grand Champions Polo, some of the industry’s major components – hunters, jumpers, polo and dressage riders, were all represented.
“The parade has grown and progressed each year and we are thrilled to work together with the Village of Wellington to bring this community event to the residents of our Western and Central Palm Beach County Communities.” said Jaene Miranda, CEO of the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce.
For all 29 years of the parade’s existence, it has been led by parade chairman Dennis Witkowski, long time Wellington resident and the creator of the Wellington Holiday Parade. “We are so fortunate to have Dennis give of his time and talent. His leadership is instrumental in keeping the parade growing and becoming more successful each time. The committee members are exceptional, the Wellington staff tremendous and our chamber staff dedicated to bringing the best parade in all Palm Beach County to the public each year” said Mary Lou Bedford, Chamber Vice President and coordinator of the parade.
The winners of the parade are as follows: Best in Show –Binks Forest PTA; Decorated Vehicle-Town of Loxahatchee Groves; Performing Group- Kem Kids; Adult Float –International Polo Club; Juvenile Float-Girl Scout Troop 20519; Marching Band-Palm Beach Central High School; Marching Group-Solid Gold Twirlers.
The Holiday Park, sponsored by Waste Management and the Wellington Preservation Coalition, entertained children and families with bounce houses, an ice skating rink, a carousel ride, fire truck ride, games, live music, and various vendors. This year the event closed with the annual Wellington tree lighting and concert by Billy Joel tribute band Turnstiles. The Central Palm Beach County Chamber staff led by CEO Jaene Miranda and Village of Wellington Council led by Mayor Bob Margolis, counted down to the lighting of the tree in the Wellington Amphitheater winding down the weekend of holiday celebrations.
The Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce Holiday Events could not have been possible without the cooperation and efforts of the staff of the Village of Wellington, PBSO, and Palm Beach County Fire and Rescue and the generosity of our Presenting Sponsors, Schumacher Family of Dealerships, the Wellington Preservation Coalition and Waste Management.
We would like to thank our Community Partners- Phelps Media Group, Florida Public Utilities, Florida Crystals, Republic Services, Winter Equestrian Festival, FPL, City of Greenacres, Humana, Walgreens, Wholefoods, South Florida Fair, Two Men and a Truck, Print-it-plus, The Gourmet Deli House, TKM Bengard Farm, Everglades Farm Equipment, Discount Rental, Sports Authority, Starbucks, and Fit2Run.
Thanks to our Media Partners, CBS Radio, 88.1 Way FM, Palm Beach Post, The Town Crier Forum Publishing Group, Coffee News.