A Key West Christmas Parade

Everyone loves a Parade, as this festive onlooker above can attest, and the Key West Annual Christmas Parade is by far the most popular. And for good reason, there is a great story behind it.  When I was growing up I lived right near the largest park in Key West, called Bayview.  It's still there by the way....  And I can remember going to a small Christmas Parade every year.  Over the years it seems to have faded out and I think for awhile we may not have even had one. Or at least not one that the WHOLE town felt compelled to go to.  Then an amazing thing happened...

Seems that the parade was being sponsored by entities that decided all were NOT welcome to participate, and that just does not work here, not in this town. 

We have this little thing called the 'Coconut Telegraph', and although it's become almost a joke, or a subject for songs, you see it really DOES work, and I have never seen it work so fast as I did that year...

Every single person that heard what they were trying to do decided to either join in the parade...

Or at least show thier support by showing up to watch it...

I have never been so proud of my little town as I was that first year..

And every year since. This parade is a symbol, and a reminder...

That we really are "One Human Family".    So to those who don't realize it...

It's just a small town Christmas Parade..

Cute and Quaint

And very diverse

But to those that know

It's not just about candy and toys tossed to the little ones..

It's a wonderful reminder

Of just how special

Our little island of Key West is....

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and Thank you to ALL the new friends I have met from this blog, I love each and every one of you and I wish you Love, Peace, and Happiness, but most of all I wish you Enough - now and always.

XO
Smiles,

Toni