Pre-parade entertainment begins one hour before the parade start time at Harbor Drive and Venice Avenue and at Nokomis and Venice avenues. Music begins to fill the air, the lighting of the downtown holiday decorations begin to sparkle with the sunset and the fun is just beginning.
This year, we’re excited to feature two talented caricature artists who will be capturing your unique style in playful portraits, two skilled balloon twisters creating colorful and imaginative balloon art, and two creative face painters ready to transform your look with delightful designs. These activities are perfect for all ages, so come early and enjoy some extra holiday cheer!
4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Venice Gondoliers Barbershop Chorus at Centennial Park Gazebo.
Face Painting at Centennial Park. Two artists will have "quick boards" to select FREE face paint designs from. Artists may close their line as they determine.
Caricature Artists at Centennial Park. Two artists will draw FREE quick silly sketches of individuals or pairs. Artists may close their line as they determine. Please remember caricature art is a form of illustrative satire meant to exaggerate physical attributes or appearances.
Balloon Twisting Artists will have "quick boards" to select balloon designs from. Artists may close their line as they determine. Artist 1 will be located at City Hall, 401 W. Venice Ave just outside the main entrance. Artist 2 will be located at Fountain Park, near the corner of Miami Ave & Nokomis Ave.
5:15 to 5:35 p.m.
Starz Choice Dance Academy performance from the main stage at the W. Venice Ave and Harbor Drive intersection. Enjoy a dazzling performance from the different age groups of Starz Choice Dance Academy
5:45 to 6:05 p.m.
Elf Dash 0.9-Mile Fun Run, cheer on almost 200 Elves as they dash and dance their way down the parade route. Once you see the elves, it's time to grab your seat, the parade is about to begin!
6:10 to 6:15 p.m.
South County Food Pantry Coalition Food Drive, at 6:05 pp.m., support the Venice area community by donating non-perishable food items and other necessities like diapers, hygiene and feminine products. The South County Food Pantry Coalition supports 8 food pantries in the south county area from Nokomis, Venice, Englewood, and North Port.
Boy Scout Troop 88 will lead the collections before the parade. Keep an eye out for donation boxes along the parade route too. Last year, $3,000 in cash donations and 500 pounds of food and necessities were collected, can beat those number this year?
National Anthem sung by the Venice High School Choral Boosters at both stages. One performance at the MAIN STAGE (Harbor Dr. & W. Venice) and a second performance at the SECOND STAGE (Nokomis & W. Venice Ave)
6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Parade Start enjoy over 90 parade units decorated for this holiday season. Stick around, Santa will make two trips through the parade.
