Record number of Horseshoe Cove golf carts roll in parade
Record number of Horseshoe Cove golf carts roll in parade
MANATEE -- Not a moment after 6 p.m. Friday, a stream of roughly 72 highly decorated golf carts -- including renditions of a Christmas tree, Santa Claus and his reindeer, a choo-choo train and snowmen -- sprang into motion for the annual parade around Horseshoe Cove.
It was the first of three nights for the 17th annual golf cart parade put on by the RV resort residents. For the second year in a row, a record number of residents joined the event, which started with just 10 carts.
For the last five years, Alice and Dell Langejans have provided live music for the event. Sitting in a trailer hitched onto a golf cart driven by friends, the couple sang traditional Christmas carols the entire route, with Dell on the keyboard and Alice singing while tossing candy to spectators.
"It's such a fun thing to do," Alice said, as she ran through her music before the parade officially started while it was just dark enough to admire the golf cart's lights, but not too dark to miss the nuances.
For the last 10 years, Pete and Kathy Forcier have participated. This time, they were putting last-minute touches on the square light-up snowman adorning the top of the cart -- they wanted to be sure he didn't fall off. The pair started a little late this year in beginning preparations Thursday, and they planned to hitch their trailer up to carry two more blow-up snowmen for the last two days of the parade.
"It's a social thing. We have a lot of fun. We're one big family here," Kathy said.
Braden River Middle School students Isabel Soehnel and Tiffany Harden secured prime seats on the back of a mostly empty golf cart to watch the parade. It was Isabel's first year, but Tiffany is a seasoned veteran attending at the parade annually with her parents.
"I think it's really creative," Isabel said.
An early favorite of the two students was a huge Christmas tree decorated with rows and rows of colorful lights completely covering the golf cart underneath.
"It's so decorated. That one is the main fascinating one," Tiffany said.
Although not a resident, 63-year-old Dianne Parker has been attending the parade since its inception. When it first started, she was coming with her daughter. This year, she had her 3-year-old grandson, Ethan Parker, and 20-month-old granddaughter, Ella Parcell, with her. Before the parade began, the children took a photo with Santa.
"They're fantastic," she said. "I don't know how they come up with these ideas."
On Sunday, the golf cart parade will exit the RV resort and head to Pleasant Lakes Mobile Home Park.
On Tuesday, the parade heads to the Westwinds Mobile Home Park and the Windmill Manor Mobile Home Park. All parades begin at 6 p.m. and police help ensure the traveling caravan stays safe.
Meghin Delaney, education reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7081. Follow her on Twitter@MeghinDelaney.
This story was originally published December 18, 2015 at 7:51 PM with the headline "Record number of Horseshoe Cove golf carts roll in parade ."