The City of North Port ushers in the holiday season with the annual Poinsettia Parade & Festival on Saturday, December 7, 2024. This cherished event, featuring the theme “Poinsettias in Paradise,” promises an array of festive activities for attendees of all ages.
Event Schedule and Highlights
Poinsettia Festival
- Time: 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM
- Location: City Center Front Green, 4970 City Hall Blvd.
The festival will showcase:
- A craft workshop
- Diverse food and merchandise vendors
- Live entertainment by Tropical Avenue and community groups
- A Kids Zone with bounce houses and interactive games
- An opportunity to meet Santa Claus from 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM at the George Mullen Activity Center
Poinsettia Parade
- Time: Starts at 5:00 PM
- Route: Begins at the corner of Sylvania Ave. and Sumter Blvd., proceeding south to City Hall Blvd., and concluding past the City Center Front Green.
The parade will feature:
- Dozens of floats and entertainment
- Marching bands
- Performers embodying the “Poinsettias in Paradise” theme
Road Closures and Traffic Detours
To ensure the safety and enjoyment of all participants, several road closures and detours will be in effect:
- Sumter Boulevard:
- Northbound lanes between City Center Blvd. and Lorri Circle will be closed from 2:00 PM until approximately 7:00 PM.
- Northbound traffic will be diverted to one lane on the southbound side during this period.
- West of Sumter Blvd.:
- Traffic approaching from the west will use Hansard Ave. to access Sumter Blvd. and will be directed south toward Price Blvd. from 2:00 PM to approximately 7:00 PM.
- East of Sumter Blvd.:
- Traffic approaching from the east will use Morandi Ave. to access Sumter Blvd. and will be directed north toward I-75/Tropicaire between 2:00 PM and 4:30 PM.
- After 4:30 PM until approximately 7:00 PM, traffic will use Eldron Ave. and exit via Salford Blvd.
- City Center Campus:
- All roads entering the campus will close to vehicular traffic at 4:00 PM and reopen around 7:00 PM. Pedestrian access remains available during this time.
For a detailed visual representation of the parade route, road closures, and detours, please refer to the official Poinsettia Holiday Map.
Parking Information
Attendees are encouraged to plan their parking in advance, considering the road closures:
- Morgan Family Community Center: Located at 6207 W. Price Blvd., this site offers unrestricted entrance and exit during the event. Complimentary shuttle service to the City Center Green will be available.
- City Center Campus: Parking is available; however, vehicular access closes at 4:00 PM and reopens post-parade, around 7:00 PM.
- Additional Parking: Owners of vacant lots off W. Price Blvd. have graciously allowed event parking. Attendees are urged to respect the property.
Spectator Viewing Areas
Optimal viewing spots include:
- Sumter Blvd. between Sylvania Ave. and City Hall Blvd.
- City Center Front Green
For safety reasons, spectators are prohibited from occupying the medians along Sumter Blvd.
Real-Time Updates and Social Media Engagement
Stay informed during the event by following the hashtag #Poinsettia2024 on social media platforms. Attendees are encouraged to share their experiences using this hashtag. For official updates, follow @NorthPortParksAndRec on Facebook and Twitter.
Acknowledgments
The sponsors and community partners who make this event possible:
- Presenting Sponsors: Quality TV and Resurrection Pools
- Gold Sponsors: Achieva Credit Union and Grande Aire Services
- Silver Sponsors: Oak & Stone, Tropic Storm Protection, Wharton-Smith, Inc.
- Bronze Sponsors: Crews Bank & Trust, Premier Appliance Service Southwest Florida, North Port Behavioral Health, Dean McConville State Farm Agent
- In-Kind Sponsors and Community Partners: Do The Happy Bounce, Face Painting by Remi, HCA Florida Healthcare, The Home Depot, Imagine School at North Port Young Marines, Kiwanis Club of North Port, Mazda of Port Charlotte, North Port Area Chamber of Commerce, Sarasota County, Twisty Balloon Fun, Wawa
Join the memorable celebration and embrace the holiday spirit at North Port’s Poinsettia Parade & Festival.For further details, please visit the official event page.
