Expected bad weather prompts cancellation of parades, events

Several area events have been postponed or canceled because of heavy rain expected to move through the Bay area today.

Those events are:

Tampa Holiday Lighted Boat Parade

Tampa's Holiday Lighted Boat Parade, scheduled for tonight, has been canceled.

However, a second boat parade scheduled for Dec. 18 will go on as planned.

That parade begins at 6:30 p.m. and will move through the waterways around Davis Islands, Harbour Island and Channelside District.

Plant City Christmas Parade

Tonight's scheduled parade has been postponed until Dec. 11, starting at 6 p.m.

"Everything will remain the same except we had to push it back a week due to the threatening weather forecast for this evening," parade chairman Fran Neilsen said.

"A little bit of rain wouldn't have stopped us, but the forecast for possible thunderstorms is too much to ignore. They committee has worked hard to prepare this parade, as we do each year, and it is regrettable but necessary for us to postpone the parade until next Friday."

Tampa's Santa Fest & Holiday Parade

The city's Santa Fest & Holiday Parade, scheduled for Saturday in Centennial Park in Ybor City, has been canceled. The event won't be rescheduled.

Lowry Park Zoo's Wild Wonderland

The zoo's 10th annual Wild Wonderland festival, originally scheduled to open tonight, now will open Saturday.

Dade City Christmas Parade

The 2009 Magical Christmas Parade, which was scheduled for this evening, has been canceled.

With Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce President Joey Wubbena's years of experience in emergency management, and the weather predicted for tonight, it was decided that it was in the best interest to cancel the parade, a news release stated.

The parade entry fee will be refunded and participants can stop by the chamber office to pick that up.

Hernando Christmas on Main Street

The "Christmas on Main Street" videotaping scheduled for the front of the Hernando County Courthouse today will be relocated to the fellowship hall of the First United Methodist Church,
109 S. Broad Street.

The event includes an appearance by Santa and Mrs. Claus, performers include Jason Yungmann, Carla Becker, Christina Daily, Randi Olsen, the Powell Middle School Girls Chorus and Sunset, a barbershop quartet. The videotaping will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Polk City Christmas Parade

The Polk City Christmas Parade scheduled for Saturday has been rescheduled to Dec. 12 at 2 p.m.

Please contact Smirna at (863) 984-1375 ext. 222 if you have any questions.

Clearwater's Miracle on Cleveland Street

The Miracle on Cleveland Street event, that features more than 40 tons of snow to play in, has been postponed from today to Dec. 11 from 5 to 10 p.m.

"The fear is that with unseasonable rain, the snow would turn into ice and slush. It could be a safety issue," said Bill Sturtevant, chairman of the Clearwater Downtown Partnership, which is putting on the event.

Clearwater's annual Holiday Light-Up and a wreath decorating contest in downtown's Station Square Park also has been rescheduled to Dec. 11.

Dunedin Old Fashioned Christmas

The city of Dunedin has rescheduled its Old Fashioned Christmas.

The program was scheduled for today. It will now be held from 6 to 10 p.m. Dec. 12 in downtown Dunedin.

Dunedin Boat Parade and Tree Lighting

The city of Dunedin has canceled the boat parade and tree lighting scheduled for tonight.

No make-up date has been scheduled.

St. Petersburg's outdoor holiday film screening

The City of St. Petersburg has canceled tonight's screening of "Polar Express," which was scheduled for North Straub Park.

Tomorrow night's screening of "White Christmas" is still scheduled to proceed on Saturday at 7 p.m. and St. Petersburg's Santa Parade and Snowfest will proceed Saturday as scheduled, weather permitting.