JTAA 48TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARADE IN BEAUTIFUL ABACOA
48th Annual JTAA Christmas Parade
The weather was a bit chilly (for us Floridians), but that didn't matter because the very large and enthusiastic crowd gave true warmth and sunny happiness to the annual Jupiter/ Tequesta Community Christmas Parade.
The Holiday season officially kicked off Sunday afternoon, December 8, complete with floats, bands, scouts, fire engines, and even a sighting of Santa. Sponsored by the Jupiter Tequesta Athletic Association (JTAA) the event draws the young and young at heart. This was what you got to experience this past Sunday and what you missed if you didn't. As far as your eyes could see both sides of Central Blvd and both sides of Frederick Small Road before the parade concluded, was lined with people. This parade cannot happen without the performers, area residents, families and children that come out each year to experience and share in this rich tradition that is a celebration of the holidays and the fabric of our community. While each of us has our own traditions, it takes an entire community and all of its members to come together and carry on this event that was started in 1977. Thank you to the thousands of spectators that lined our streets from beginning to end.
The parade is organized by a volunteer committee. The Town of Jupiter and the Village of Tequesta support us with a great deal of logistical help. It is always a culmination of many people working together for months in advance to make this event happen. This year's parade had 107 units and 3,470 plus participating (the largest ever).
First, I would like to say thank you to my wife Susan for the many hours she put in to help me coordinate this special celebration. Thank you to Chuck Dettman, John Hearn & the rest of the parade committee for all of their time.
Thank you to Jupiter's Town Manager Frank J. Kitzerow, Mayor Jim Kuretski and the Town Council. Thank you to the Village of Tequesta's Mayor Molly Young and the Village Council and Palm Beach County Commissioner Maria Marino. Thank you to Jupiter’s Police Department for their corporation in coordinating traffic and crowd control, especially Captain Joseph Counihan (JPD) and Major Michael Salvemini (JPD) for their leadership and guidance in the preparation and planning of this parade.
I would also like to acknowledge the following: The Jupiter Tequesta Repeater Group for all of our communication support, thank you to Terri Kuretski for making the beautiful magnet car signs used by our dignitaries. Liberty Signs for donating the sign used at Lighthouse Park, the Town of Jupiter Parks and Recreation for letting us use Abacoa Community Park (ACP) as the place to conclude this year’s parade. If I had to list all of the support that I and the parade committee receives from our friends at Parks and Recreation and the Community Relations Department -- my expressions of gratitude would never end.
Thank you to UF Scripps and Max Planck Florida Institute for giving up their employee parking lot so that we would have a place to stage, the POA for being so supportive of this parade from the first meeting this year, and who has been advertising the parade since June of this year. Thank you to the Abaco Community for welcoming us with open arms. Our parade Judges, volunteers from the Jr. Woman's Club. Santa sends a special thanks to the Palm Beach Gardens Fire Rescue for providing his transportation on their 1940 American LaFrance Fire Engine.
Thanks to Jeff Sabin and his staff from Waste Management for supplying all of those Trash containers in the staging area.
Thank you to this year’s grand marshal, Dr. Colleen Iannitti, our very own Principal of Jupiter High School.
Thank you to our newest partner “Little Smiles Holiday Toy Drive”, which was a big success collecting over 550 toys. Thank you to everyone who donated so many wonderful toys.
And what would our parade be without Santa taking time out of his busy schedule to greet our children. Special thanks to our parade sponsor the JTAA for setting aside the operating budget necessary for this parade.
The winners of our float competition are:
COMpliance with Theme
1st Jerry Thomas Elementary School
2nd Cub Scout Pack 774
3rd Cub Scout Pack 173
Originality
1st NiMO Coastal Mediterranean
2nd Furry Friends Adoption and Clinic
3rd Pentecostal Church of God
Best Overall Decoration
1st Limestone Creek Elementary School
2nd Jupiter Elementary Chorus
3rd Char-Mar School of Dance
MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW! Next year’s parade will be Sunday, December 14, 2025.
Everyone is welcome to come and ring in the holidays and help us celebrate the 49th anniversary of
this parade. All are encouraged to enter a float or have a marching group in next year's parade.
The parade committee wishes you and yours a Healthy and Happy Holiday! Michael Cesarano