Santa makes it to delayed parade

The Plant City Christmas Parade that was postponed a week due to threatening weather was well worth the wait.

The crowd that lined the route along Collins and Reynolds streets was treated Dec. 11 to good weather and a lively parade topped off not only by Santa, but also Mrs. Claus, all dressed up to match the jolly old elf in red with white trim.

Santa, also known as city traffic superintendent Don Rainard, shared the spotlight with Mrs. Claus, Rainard's wife, Debbie, as the couple smiled and waved to thousands of people who lined the mile-long route.

"Mrs. Claus put her foot down," Santa said after the parade. "I came all the way down here from the North Pole last week and had nothing to report when I got back home. This time she made the trip with me, 'just to help out' she said, but I'm not so sure."

Mr. and Mrs. Claus rode in a new signal lift truck supplied by the city traffic division, in keeping with a long tradition of Santa riding in the parade in a unique vehicle.

"It was fun seeing all the kids, young and old, waving and cheering as we went by," he said.

Kristen MacDonald, a Tomlin Middle School sixth-grader, staked out a spot on the curb waiting for Santa's arrival.

"I thought the parade was really nice," the 12-year-old said. "I liked the floats a lot. Some looked really good. People put a lot of work into them."

Her father, Dean MacDonald, said Kristen, her brothers and sisters and neighbors, couldn't stop talking about how much fun it was.

"I know they all had a good time," MacDonald said. "And Santa was just like he always is. I guess that he never gets old."

Santa followed a long line of motorcycles and police cars with sirens howling. Locally known politicians rode and walked the route sharing greetings with the crowd. Candy and trinkets were handed out by a few of the people walking the route, including members of the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce.

"It was a fun time for everyone," parade chairwoman Fran Neilsen said. "The (Dec. 4) rain delay caused a few participating floats and attractions to drop out, but we had a great time, a lot of marching bands and another good crowd."

Santa enjoyed the parade that lasted right at one hour.

"I think there was as much excitement about seeing Mrs. Claus as there was for me," Santa said. "This was the first time she ever rode in a truck as big as this one. It's almost as big as my sled."

"Oh, listen to him," Mrs. Claus said. "He will always be the crowd favorite. All I can say is Merry Christmas to everyone. Santa will see you again real soon."