WINTER HAVEN -- The Florida Citrus Festival that ends today was "An A'Fair to Remember," but Saturday's 78th annual Citrus Parade with 102 units may be called "A'Parade To Remember," as well.
Bolstered by the fact that there was no rain, parade officials expected to see the turnout soar well beyond that of last year's parade, which was plagued by rain.
On a year with a good turnout, there may be 80,000 to 100,000 spectators, officials said.
The parade continued its traditional route downtown, out Third Street and to the Citrus Dome on Cypress Gardens Boulevard.
Officials anticipated that the parade attendance would result in the biggest day of the 11-day run at the Citrus Festival, as people who watch the parade tend to follow it to the fair.
In a break from tradition, this year's parade came at the end of the 11-day Citrus Festival, and not at the beginning. This was prompted by last Saturday's Martin Luther King parade, according to Festival Chairman Rodger McCoy.
"That's a national holiday," he said of the King event, "and we decided to do the parade the week after that."
But there are still some who like traditions, such as 9-year-old Lindsey Nantz, who was riding on the Citrus & Chemical Bank float.
"It's at the end of the Citrus Festival this year," she said of the parade. "But I like it better at the beginning. You don't have to wait so long."
No matter when the parade is, McCoy added, "We hope we can give enjoyment to the city and the surrounding areas."
Enjoyment was the key feeling for the morning, from parade Grand Marshal David L. Greene to the spectators, who found the parade was well worth their time. The entire parade took about 100 minutes to pass any given point.
Greene, who became Winter Haven's city manager in July, rode in the car of his dreams, a snazzy, bright blue '57 Chevy Bel Air convertible.
"I'm having a blast," he said. "I am also truly honored and very humbled. This is not something I expected or anticipated in any way."
As one who is quick to quip, Greene looked at the convertible and said, "Is this the best car you can get me to ride in? I'm really struggling with the idea that I've got to ride in this car today."
But all kidding aside, he added, "I'd love to see it in my garage."
Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce President Mark Turner had the privilege of riding in a shiny, black 2002 Thunderbird convertible.
A fun ride was only part of the deal, though. Haley Thornhill, 15, Winter Haven queen in the Miss Junior America Pageant, has always wanted to be in the Citrus Festival Parade.
"I'm very excited. I have always loved it when I was a kid and I've always wanted to be in it," she said of the parade. "This means a lot to me, especially with the events that have happened. This shows we support our city and take pride in what we do."
Among those riding proud were several 25-year veterans of the Winter Haven Police Department. They rode in the department's rescue boat -- on a trailer.
Also taking pride in the city were Mayor Charles Richardson and city commissioners who took their usual parade positions atop "High Anxiety," the city fire department's aerial ladder truck.
Richardson said he saw "more of a re-focus on the citrus industry for the parade. Many of the displays are focused on citrus, even with the Canal Commission tossing out tangerines on the parade route. It sort of reconnects the community. But I saw people lining up at 7 a.m. this morning for the best seats and a place to park."
Those were real tangerines that came out of a big crate on one of the Lakes Management District's vehicles. District workers walked alongside, bowling handfuls of tangerines along the roadsides to be grabbed up by hundreds of enthusiastic youngsters.
Those who watched from downtown had to come early for the best places. But the elevated parking lot at Citi Centre and the field across Third Street also provided a new place for many to watch. The field became an impromptu parking area and at least one food vendor -- Kettle Korn -- set up shop there. Others who lined the road to the south of Andy's Igloo found imaginative ways to make themselves at home, such as removing the seats from a Plymouth mini-van and setting them up by the street.
Others felt equally at home. One float from St. Joseph's School had several classroom desks, complete with students in school uniforms. But it wasn't all school work as the float had a "tree" of green balloons mixed in with smaller orange balloons.
