Many towns have a parade during the Christmas season, but any local can tell you that DeLand is a town that loves a parade! So, of course, there would be not one, but two parades to celebrate this festive time of year.
The first parade of the season (and easily the largest parade of the year) is the 71st Annual Downtown DeLand Christmas Parade. Running along Woodland Boulevard through Downtown DeLand, this event draws as many as 20,000 people. This year’s parade will be on Saturday, December 7th beginning at 5:30 p.m. Hosted by the Rotary Clubs of DeLand, the theme for 2019 is a Winter Wonderland Down Main Street. For more information about the parade or to find out how to enter a float in the parade, visit delandchristmasparade.org.
One of the most unique parades of the year is the DeLand Christmas Boat Parade. Dating back to the 1920s, brightly lit and beautifully decorated boats of all sizes will cruise the St. John’s River in the 54th annual event. The parade begins at 6:00 p.m., with boats circling Lake Beresford before heading north to the St. John’s River Grille where awards will be presented. There will be a free family-friendly festival prior to the parade at 4:00 on the western short of Lake Beresford at 1889 Hontoon Road. This year’s parade grand marshals are Magic 107.7 radio personality Leslye Gale and her husband, Volusia County Councilman, Ben Johnson. For information about this year’s parade visit http://www.delandchamber.org/events/details/adventhealth-54th-deland-christmas-boat-parade-19444.
One of the most unique parades of the year is the DeLand Christmas Boat Parade. Dating back to the 1920s, brightly lit and beautifully decorated boats of all sizes will cruise the St. John’s River in the 54th annual event. The parade begins at 6:00 p.m., with boats circling Lake Beresford before heading north to the St. John’s River Grille where awards will be presented. There will be a free family-friendly festival prior to the parade at 4:00 on the western short of Lake Beresford at 1889 Hontoon Road. This year’s parade grand marshals are Magic 107.7 radio personality Leslye Gale and her husband, Volusia County Councilman, Ben Johnson. For information about this year’s parade visit http://www.delandchamber.org/events/details/adventhealth-54th-deland-christmas-boat-parade-19444.