At Monday night’s Destin City Council meeting, newly-elected Council-member Kevin Schmidt brought up the status of the Destin Christmas Parade.
Up until last night, there was no definitive plan for having a Christmas parade this year.
“It’s probably a weird thing to bring up on my first meeting,” started Schmidt, “but growing up and being here for a long time in Destin, the Christmas Parade is a very special thing.”
Schmidt told the rest of the council that he had been asked by quite a few residents recently about the status of this year’s Christmas Parade.
“There hasn’t been a decision made regarding the Christmas Parade,” said Schmidt. “I would really like it if tonight, we could give staff the support to proceed with the Christmas Parade.”
With that being said, Schmidt made his first motion as council-member.
Terésa Hebert, also newly-elected, seconded Schmidt’s motion.
“I feel like we need this,” said Hebert. “We need to do what we can to give people some normalcy. I think we should go for it.”
It was voted 5-1 to proceed with the Destin Christmas Parade.
Now, residents can look forward to a parade on December 12th beginning at 10am.
The floats will begin at the Downtown Destin Shopping Center (Old Time Pottery) and travel west down Harbor Boulevard (Hwy 98) to Stahlman Avenue. Spectators are asked to stand on the north side of Harbor Boulevard to watch the parade.
For those who wish to participate in the parade, please email Recreation@cityofdestin.com to request an application. Applications must be received no later than Friday, December 4th, 2020, and can be dropped off in person to the Destin Community Center (101 Stahlman Ave), faxed to 850-654-8998, or email to Recreation@cityofdestin.com.
In lieu of an entry fee, each applicant must donate a toy, which will be given to Angel Tree Ministries. All donations can be dropped off at the Destin Community Center.
“The City of Destin wants to bring hope and enthusiasm during this time of year while being mindful of the challenges due to COVID-19,” they said in a press release.
All parade participants and spectators are strongly encouraged to do the following:
- Wear a mask/face covering.
- Maintain physical distance of at least 6 ft between individuals not within the same household.
- Please limit spectator groups to no more than 8 people.
- If you are sick, exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, or have been in close contact with a person suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19, please stay home.
- City staff is working on ways to live stream the parade and more details will be forthcoming.
