GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Despite a threat of rain, residents were five-deep from the Clay County Courthouse to City Hall on both sides of Orange Avenue more than 90 minutes ahead of last Saturday’s Christmas Parade. 

While the inclement weather held off for most of the city’s second-largest event – the heavy showers arrived when Santa Claus was a half-mile into the two-mile parade route – most revelers remained in place to see Clay High graduate, 2023 World Series Champion and Grand Marshal Dane Dunning, along with Special Honoree and recently retired Green Cove Springs City Manager Steve Kennedy and 73 entries celebrate the festive holiday. 

A panel of judges had the dubious task of picking the top three entries in five categories. Their choices were: 

• Best scouting or school group: gold – Boy Scouts of America Troup 389; silver – Pinewood Christian Academy Cheerleaders; bronze – Lake Asbury Junior High Kids Helping Kids Club. 

• Best Decorated Vehicle: gold – Deel Heating and Cooling Services; silver – The Food Pantry of Green Cove Springs; bronze – “Gordy,” the Gordon Chevrolet Fire Truck. 

• Best Marching or Dance Unit: gold – All-Stars Twirling Academy; silver – Asbury Arts Center, bronze – All-Starz Dance Studio. 

• Best Use of Theme (North Pole Christmas Party): gold – Inline Lawn and Fence; silver – North Florida Pyrotechnics; bronze – Vallencourt Construction. 

• Best Float: gold – TNT Concrete Supply; silver – Knox Pest Control; bronze – Pro Care Lawn and Fence. 

Following the parade, the city lit its Christmas Tree in Spring Park, while a few stragglers strolled through the park looking at the 245 decorated Christmas trees.