Pinellas News

Tarpon busy during holiday season

Photos

By Eric Horchy | Suncoast News
Published: December 27, 2012

TARPON SPRINGS - It was difficult for even the Grinchiest of folks to avoid the positive holiday spirit in Tarpon Springs this year.

City staff had much of Tarpon and Pinellas avenues and the Sponge Docks decked out with festive garland, Christmas trees, red bows, giant candy canes and more since Thanksgiving time.

With the town decorated for the season, events leading up to Christmas Day proved to be big hits with residents and organizers alike. That was exemplified this year by Dec. 7's first crack at "There's Snow Place Like Tarpon Avenue."

The family-oriented event ran 4-9 p.m. in downtown and featured falling snow, reindeer, hayrides, holiday music and shopping, and an illuminated boat parade at Spring Bayou.

A good concept turned out to be a great one because participation far exceeded expectations, said Tarpon Springs Chamber of Commerce President Sue Thomas.

"According to police estimates, we had between 25,000 and 30,000 people on Tarpon Avenue," she said while speaking at last week's city commission meeting. "This is one of the biggest events we've ever had in Tarpon, and plans are under way to do it again (next) year because we had so much fun this year."

The event was organized and sponsored jointly by the Chamber of Commerce, Tarpon Springs Merchants' Association and the city.

"It's great to see how well something can come off when everybody works together," Thomas said, adding that the assistance from the city police and fire departments went above and beyond the call. "They went out of their way to help us."

Community organizers followed that event's rousing success the next week with Tarpon Springs' annual Christmas Parade on Dec. 15. The parade, Santa Claus and his elves meandered down Pinellas Avenue to Craig Park in the morning, and children were invited to get in on the Candy Cane Hunt later in the afternoon.

ehorchy@suncoastnews.com (727) 815-1071