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Thank you to the sponsors of the City of Gainesville’s A Very GNV Holiday Parade 

Press release from City of Gainesville

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – It’s the holiday season, and preparations are in full swing for the City of Gainesville’s 2024 A Very GNV Holiday Parade on Saturday, Dec. 7.

In its second year, A Very GNV Holiday Parade begins at noon on Dec. 7, moving along W. University Avenue from 6th Street to the Alachua County Public Schools Administration Building at 620 E. University Avenue.

This year’s grand marshal is media personality Shaquille O’Neal, the 4-time NBA champion who was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016. He is among the most famous basketball players in all the world.

“I expect our parade will become a special tradition that brings our community together in the heart of Gainesville,” said parade organizer and Mayor Pro-Tem Cynthia Moore Chestnut. “We’re simply delighted to welcome Shaquille O’Neal as our grand marshal and are anticipating a great turnout.”

Marching bands, floats, and dancing groups are among this year’s 110 official parade entries.

The seasonal celebration is made possible through the support of sponsors across the community. Thank you to the sponsors of A Very GNV Holiday Parade.

City of Gainesville Holiday Parade Sponsors

Platinum ($10,000)

  • Cox Communications

Gold ($5,000)

  • The Collier Companies
  • Community Foundation of North Central Florida
  • GFL Environmental, Gainesville, FL Branch
  • Monterey Boats
  • Morgan & Morgan
  • Pavlov Media
  • Santa Fe College
  • UF Health
  • Viking Property Management

Sapphire ($1,500)

  • Akira Wood
  • Audi Gainesville
  • Becker & Poliakoff, P.A.
  • CAMPUS USA Credit Union
  • Children’s Trust of Alachua County
  • Cynthia Moore Chestnut
  • D.E. Scorpio Corporation
  • Eden Park at Ironwood
  • Gainesville Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
  • Gainesville Housing Authority
  • Gatorland Toyota/BMW of Gainesville
  • Mainstreet Daily News
  • Mercedes-Benz of Gainesville
  • Oelrich Construction, Inc.
  • Will the homeless camps and aggressive bums be scraped off the sidewalks ahead of the Christmas parade?

    If so, why can’t it be done the rest of the year?

    • Why don’t you take a break for a day from your incessant off topic put downs of the city and county most people here love. It’s a Christmas Parade! Maybe some dumb redneck town will have Matt Gaetz or Hulk Hogan leading their parade and you’ll feel more at home.

      In short, this town does not agree with you, never will and you can move to whatever red spithole you think suits your beliefs, but this is not it , so advice to you. Get lost. You’ll be much happier and so will we.

      .

      • Still butthurt about your massive, humiliating loss to Trump, eh Jazzie? He really stomped on you and your commie friends, didn’t he? A historical beatdown, really left no doubt as to what the entire country really thinks of DEI shills such as yourself.

        You don’t live in Gainesville, so I could not care less about your opinion about my town. This town is solidly conservative like the rest of Florida minus the children that are here as 4-year tourists.

        Try getting a job for the first time in your life and you’ll have less time to worry about what normal people believe, loser.

        • Nice fantasy there Dad, but you Trumpers have to be good at that.

          Trump right now has about 50.1% of the vote total, which is expected to go below 50% when total is in.

          Harris 60%, Trump 39% Alachua Co vote.

          By the way, I’ve been making weekly payroll for 45 years straight. How about you?

      • Jazzman, it’s not a Christmas Parade. Woke Gainesville has made it very clear that it is a holiday Parade so it does not offend anyone. If it was a Christmas Parade the liberal whiners would be shaving their heads and screaming death to Jesus and Santa. Your TDS rages on. But I am glad you acknowledge that there is still a Christmas.

        • The only whiners on this thread are the usual MAGA AC suspects who whine about everything, all the time.

          Hey Happy Holidays!

  • What exactly is “Gainesville Housing Authority”? Is it funded at least in part by citizen taxes, which are then used to pay for a parade and to compensate O’Neill for his appearance? What “authority” exactly does GHA have?

    • The GNV housing authority is the administrator for low income section 8 housing….they actually do a very good job!

      I don’t know why the GNVCC are such Grinches that they have to say Holiday instead of Christmas…

      It’s been a tough year for taxpayers and it would be great if we saw Christmas lights and decorations at large intersections like University Ave and NW 13th st, 6th st, & Main Street! 🎄🎅

      Merry Christmas 🎄🎁 & happy new year!🎈🎊🎆

      • Your other options
        are people who give
        out of heart.
        Profits the community
        It’s a Christmas 🎄 spirit
        Don’t be unkind .
        Not all money comes from tax payers.
        Donate time talents n treasures.
        Seriously
        Street decorations really .

        Go with some in-house in community homemade decorations.
        There Bullwinkle your new art project.
        Merry Christmas 🎅 🎄 ❤️

    • Actually the 2year of parade 🎄🎄🎄 $ Shaq is a giver: youare only looking at money to be spent on a celebration of Christmas 🎄.
      How unnecessary to think money.
      Strangers are more weird as time goes by. Some people don’t look at money at all.

      You unfortunately 😕 do.
      So sad 😞 😔 😟 person

    • If Chesnut can’t say Christmas parade , than I might be
      Ok with “festivus” for the rest of us a la Seinfeld.🤪🎄🎁🎊🎄

      • Chestnut just submits to the leaders. Doesn’t help the Eastside. Sits like a dunce and lets the state and fed money to help the eastside end up in Celebration Point. Shame on her.

      • Christmas was set near the Winter Solstice to meld with and attract other religions and cultures – Christmas trees and Easter rabbits – get it? There are other celebrations this time of year, and no, Christians don’t own the government or the calendar. They are a shrinking portion of the population, but most everyone wants to join in the seasonal cheer. You want to kick ass and minimize those who are not Christians from being part of it. Smart move Scrooge!

  • I love parades
    Best idea for all ages.
    Life is👩‍🚀🧑‍🚀👨‍🚀
    more than football and school or work .

    It’s a Christmas 🎄🎅🤶🧑‍🎄
    ☺️ 🤗 in Gainesville second year…

  • I believe in Santa Clause…if you don’t, then you’re a Scrooge!🎅

    Happy Birthday Jesus on Christmas Day!🎄🎁🎆

    🎶 Rudolph the red nosed reindeer, had a very shiney nose..” 🦌🎶

    🎶frosty the snowman …🎶⛄️☃️

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