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Transportation Troubles Don't Stop Plant City Santa

Tribune photo by GEORGE H. NEWMAN

Santa makes his appearance at the Plant City Christmas Parade Dec. 19.

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By GEORGE H. NEWMAN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 24, 2008

PLANT CITY - Santa Claus might not have any trouble whisking around the world on Christmas Eve, bringing every boy and girl toys and other special gifts.

But on Dec. 19, seeking transportation in the Plant City Christmas Parade, Santa hitched a ride on old No. 27, a retired antique fire engine maintained by Plant City Fire Rescue. Santa's grand entrance into the historic downtown was interrupted by a mechanical malfunction that forced Santa to give up his ride and start hoofing it.

Santa had to be thinking of his team of flying reindeer as he took to the pavement with more than a mile to go before reaching the end of the parade route. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, also known as Candy Greene, was walking with a group from South Florida Baptist Hospital. They were just a few blocks ahead of Santa when the truck broke down. Unfortunately, Santa and Rudolph missed connections, and Santa was on his own.

"Santa could have walked the whole way," said Don Rainard, who dresses as the Jolly Old Elf each year for the popular parade. "Santa heard a loud cheer when he dismounted the old firetruck and started walking the route. Kids were screaming and cheering as Santa marched up Collins Street."

Santa walked about 100 yards "waving to the crowd and laughing 'Ho Ho Ho!'" Rainard said. "He was set to go all the way. But when word was sent to the North Pole that Santa needed a ride, help was already on its way."

Then Brewington's Towing Service came to the rescue. The Plant City company had tow trucks and other vehicles along the parade route.

"When we got word that Santa needed help, we immediately went to pick him up," said D.J. Brewington, son of company owners David and Diane Brewington.

Soon Santa was in the back of a large, unmarked pickup truck driven by D.J., with his mother and 3-year-old son, Colby, riding in the cab. Santa, who was cheered wildly as he climbed into the back of the truck, was again riding high.

"It is such a joy for Santa to see all the little boys and girls who line the parade route," Rainard said. "You can see the joy on their faces. You can hear them yelling for a wave, a nod or a smile from Santa. It is an experience like none other."

Parade attendance was down, probably as a result of the postponement and rescheduling of the parade from Dec. 5 to Dec. 19. The parade was postponed because of a Dec. 5 police manhunt for a suspect in shootings that left two men dead and one wounded.

City Commissioner Mike Sparkman said he felt the parade was successful, despite the rescheduling.

"Because of the cancellation and rescheduling, the parade was small and the crowd was smaller than usual," he said. "But the ones who were there came to the parade to see the floats and welcome Santa into town. They were mild and respectful in their behavior."

Donna Ashley marched in the parade with her friend Sandra High.

"There were some empty spots along the route that were filled with people last year," Ashley said. "Overall I would say the crowd was a lot calmer this year. They seemed more subdued than before."

The numbers were certainly down, High said. "But it was an appreciative crowd. There was a lot of clapping. People were calling out 'Merry Christmas' back and forth to one another. I got a good feeling from the crowd."

The absence of large amounts of candy and beads also may have reduced attendance. In October, city commissioners approved a resolution banning distribution of the goodies during parades. But they didn't make it illegal, and the parade committee decided to allow distribution as long as the trinkets were handed out and not thrown.

The city took its action after 9-year-old Jordan "Booka" Hays was run over and killed by a church float as he helped distribute candy at the 2007 parade.

Sparkman said he didn't think the city needs to readdress the dispersal of candy and beads at parades although commissioners may talk about the time of day parades are staged. The Christmas parades are held at night.

"What I have a concern with is the night parade versus a daytime parade," Sparkman said. "The lighting can't be good enough for me at a nighttime parade. We'll probably talk about that at some point."

Reporter George H. Newman can be reached at (813) 8654451.

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