Sometimes Santa Claus gets creative while spreading holiday joy in Florida.
Florida’s trademark sunshine and balmy holiday weather lets Santa have some transportation options to bring merriment to the masses.
These archive photos from the Bradenton Herald and the Manatee County Historical digital collection show how he did it.
Santa waves from the back of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey’s elephant, Asia, for students at Blackburn Elementary School in Palmetto, 2014. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
A security cart driver dressed as Santa Claus drives his decorated cart with his poodle-elf by his side. 1980 Manatee County Historical digital archives Manatee County Historical digital archives
Santa Claus, (Greg Marme) rode around downtown Bradenton with helpers Dorathe Hartwell and Bill Herron wishing everyone happy holidays before going to a Christmas party for children at Champs corporate office on Manatee Avenue, 2001. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
Santa Claus waves from the deck of a boat in a residential boat canal, 1980. Manatee County Historical digital archives Manatee County Historical digital archives
Santa Claus (aka Dick Verzone) and other residents from Horseshoe Cove visited the Easter Seals Child Development Center Friday morning. Santa and his crew arrived at the center riding in decorated golf carts, 2004. Bradenton Herald file photo Bradenton Herald file photo
A bus rider is greeted by Santa Claus, who is driving the city bus for the Christmas holidays from the main bus depot at the County Courthouse, 1980. Manatee County Historical digital archives Manatee County Historical digital archives
BRADENTON -- 12/14/2002 -- Santa Claus holds his signature hat as he arrives at G.T. Bray park for “A Night Before Christmas” festivities. This is Santa’s 14th trip to Bradenton via helicopter. Herald photo by Paul Gonzalez Videla. Bradenton Herald file photo Bradenton Herald file photo
Bradenton police motorcycle officer Mike Mayer as ‘Santa’ in downtown Bradenton, 1979. Manatee County Historical digital archives Manatee County Historical digital archives
Doug Jones as Santa waves to the folks who lined up along the streets in Myakka City Saturday to watch the 4th annual Christmas Parade, 2000. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
To see more vintage photos, watch the video at the top of this page.
Tiffany Tompkins is the Bradenton Herald’s Visual Lead; shooting, editing and producing photographs and videos for the newspaper and online since 1999. Tiffany is a graduate of State College of Florida.
