CEDAR KEY, Fla. (WCJB) – Now that we are all fed and happy after Thanksgiving, the Christmas season has come out in full swing!
Friday Night, Cedar Key held their annual Christmas Golf Cart Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony!
Though the golf carts may be small, they are very mighty just like the community inside Cedar Key!
Known to locals as the “City that Florida forgot” Cedar Key is a hidden gem, boasting a calm and peaceful nature.
“I think it’s wonderful, I do. There are no stoplights, there’s no fast food. We’ve been here for four hurricanes and they’re coming back, and it’s wonderful even if there’s things that are quiet and it’s ok. It’s ok because that’s what Cedar Key is about,” shared Cedar Key resident Mary Peterson.
Years ago, after the event was founded, the community rallied after their beloved tree was accidentally shipped to the West Coast. Raising more than 15-thousand dollars, the community welcomed the tree back, the very tree that still stands tall to this very day.
This year, locals and tourists alike came together to enjoy the ceremony, and to enjoy some other treats along the way.
“They’re giving out free hot chocolate and, apple cider, it’s very festive,” added residents Candance and Makenna.
There was a lot of hard work that went into such a beautiful night however, including the whole community coming together to build the tree piece by piece!
“It was in a bunch of small sections that are put all together. We had to sort all the decorations into all the little sections. They used to forklift and stacked it up. We are here from about eight in the morning until about one in the afternoon,” shared Cedar Key resident Heather.
Of course, the golf carts made their grand appearance, decked out in Christmas lights and garland, with riders tossing candy to children in the crowd!
And after a small speech from Chamber of Commerce officials, the time finally arrived to display the community’s hard work, and it was a sight to behold, receiving thunderous applause from the crowd.
The twinkling lights will be up till the end of December, and every business in town will be participating in a festive decorating contest! Anyone is welcomed to visit and cast their vote.
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