Annual Wellington Holiday Parade Set To Amaze Spectators Sunday, Dec. 10
The 33rd annual Wellington Holiday Parade, produced by the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce, is set for Sunday, Dec. 10. The theme for this year’s event is,
“A World of Make Believe.”
The parade route will run along its traditional Forest Hill Blvd. route, starting at the intersection with Wellington Trace. The parade begins at 1:30 p.m., but roads along the parade route will be closing at 1 p.m. to ensure safety for everyone.
Holiday Park, a special location with crafts, arts, food, music and fun events for children, will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Wellington Amphitheater.
Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue and Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office representatives will serve as the parade grand marshals for 2017, as a way to thank them for their service — not only during natural disasters such as Hurricane Irma, but throughout the year.
The Schumacher Family of Dealerships — a longtime supporter of the event — will return as the automotive presenting sponsor.
“Schumacher Automotive Group is proud to once again support the Wellington Holiday Parade,” Schumacher Executive Manager Sal DelGreco said. “We are grateful to the community for supporting our many brands over the years and consider it an honor to give back.”
DelGreco added that the parade is a great opportunity for the dealership to showcase its vehicles.
“Sponsoring the Wellington Holiday Parade is something we have done for so long that it is a part of us,” DelGreco said. “We are truly thankful for the relationships that we have made and look forward to making many more. We wish you and your loved ones warmest wishes this holiday season and a prosperous new year.”
Joining Schumacher as presenting sponsor is Wellington Regional Medical Center.
“This is an exciting time of year,” WRMC CEO Robbin Lee said. “This is an opportunity for us to connect with the community, businesses, residents and visitors. We especially look forward to interacting with previous patients in a setting outside of the medical facility.”
The parade is the largest event produced annually by the chamber.
“The parade attracts approximately 20,000 spectators, with more than 3,000 people marching in the parade,” said Dennis Witkowski, longtime chair of the Wellington Holiday Parade Committee.
Witkowski looks forward to another great parade year.
“The Wellington Holiday Parade means the world to me, because of the joy it brings to the community,” he said. “I have been blessed to be chairman for the past 30 years, and the parade is no longer a tradition, but rather it is a ritual. This event is the soul of Wellington and brings everyone — of all ages — in the western communities together.”
Mary Lou Bedford, the chamber’s chief executive officer, invites the entire community to come out and enjoy the parade.
“The Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors support this wonderful event, as it brings together businesses from throughout our chamber’s geographic footprint,” she said. “We could not do this without the support of the Village of Wellington and our sponsors.”
Community sponsors include: the Center for Bone & Joint Surgery, the City of Greenacres, Minto Communities of South Florida, Republic Services of Palm Beach, the Mall at Wellington Green, TD Bank, J&J Produce, Wellington Golf Cars, the Boynton Financial Group, Whole Foods Market, Two Men and a Truck, Carrabba’s, Starbucks, Hill Audio Visual, JJ Muggs Stadium Grill, Print-it Plus, PCI, Prime America, AGTS Insurance and Walgreens. Media partners include: The Palm Beach Post, the Town-Crier, the Sun-Sentinel, Wellington The Magazine, Around Wellington, ESPN West Palm Beach, WRMF and SCORE-ing Your Business/900 AM. Holiday Park is sponsored by Waste Management, Retreat Palm Beach and Equestrian Sport Productions.
For more information about the Wellington Holiday Parade, call (561) 790-6200 or visit www.cpbchamber.com.
