Parade makes Christmas in Florence official
By: SCNow.com
FLORENCE, S.C. – Hundreds of people lined Evans Street from Edisto Drive into downtown Florence for the annual Christmas parade on Saturday.
Fifty-two float entries made up the parade, under the theme “Love and Peace.”
One of those entries was The Little Gym of Florence. Soha Patel said the gym is geared toward teaching gymnastics to children 4 months to 12 years old, and it entered the parade as a way to reach out to the community.
“We just want to increase awareness about what’s out there,” she said. “I think all these businesses that’s our intention to let our community know we’re here.”
The group from The Little Gym consisted of around 20 students and parents.
“The little ones are super excited,” said Patel. “Some of them will probably do cartwheels and handstands.”
Another group hoping to get its name out to the community in Florence was the city of Florence Junior Allstars, part of the Florence Junior Football League. The team was coming off a state championship win last weekend in Beaufort.
“I want everybody to let them get their recognition,” said coach Darryl Mitchell, “They’re the best team in the state so they should be recognized.”
The team, made up of 7- and 8-year-olds, filled up two truck beds and a limousine for the parade.
“Everybody’s excited because they want to get in the limo,” said Mitchell. “They’re a good group, out of the six years they’re the best group I’ve had.”
