Page 15 - Abacoa Community News - November '24

Abacoa, Page 15

around abacoa

2024 Xmas Parade from page 1

necessary. Roe Malloy (softball director at the time) and Tony
Newman accepted the task to organize that first parade. In the
beginning the parade was organized as an old-fashioned event
with kids in the neighborhood riding their bikes, pulling a
decorated red wagon with the family’s favorite pets, walkers,
a few floats from some local businesses, and a band.
The next year (to the present day) the E-Board decided
to continue this event and set aside the operating budget Time calls for a town
necessary to make this an annual event. The E-Board wanted tradition change: After Through the leadership of our Town Manager Frank
to demonstrate to the town and the village, along with the the 2022 parade I indicated Kitzerow, who has always supported this parade as either
community, how much the organization (JTAA) and the that the 2023 and 2024 the JPD chief and now as TM, and the diligence of Major
parents and children appreciated all of the support it was parades may be in jeopardy Hennessy and Captain Salvemini we now have a temporary
getting at the time. Also, it was a way to celebrate and to for these two years due to parade route to use for the next two years.
welcome the children (teams) that participate all year. the bridge construction on
We move ahead almost five decades and that holiday U.S. 1 and the rearranging
celebration that started back in 1977 is still ongoing. This of our roadway. This would have been a big disappointment for
long-standing tradition is still celebrated on the second all of us. After a recent event, Frank Kitzerow, our town manager
Sunday in December. What has changed is the operating (TM), approached me and asked if he found me a temporary
budget which is much larger with many more people location for the parade would I consider it for the next two
participating and many more floats, and bands. years, of course I said yes. To which he introduced me to Major
Don Hennessy of the Jupiter Police Department (JPD), Major
Hennessy was tasked to find me a location for the parade that
would meet all of my conditions. Through the leadership of our
Town Manager Frank Kitzerow, who has always supported this
parade as either the JPD chief and now as TM, and the diligence
of Major Hennessy and Captain Salvemini we now have a parade
route in Abacoa through 2024.
Town tradition on the march in Abacoa – 2023: And
so, the 47th Annual JTAA 2023 Christmas Parade was held
on the oak-lined streets of Abacoa. Included were 86 units
with 2,850 plus people participating, this number has gone as
The JTAA 2022 parade celebrated the 46th annual tradition high as 3,000-plus. This wonderful tradition that we have year
and had 86 units with 2,850 plus people participating. This after year has floats being made by various area schools, civic
wonderful parade that we have year after year has floats organizations and local businesses, along with entries from area
being made by various area schools, civic organizations and girl and boy scout groups. We also featured six bands from our
local businesses, along with entries from area girl and boy middle and high schools, along with local political dignitaries. and businesses in the community. We would like to invite you
scout groups. We also featured six bands from our middle Our registration fee, which is a new unwrapped toy (or toys) that to participate in and/or attend this family fun event spreading
and high schools, along with local political dignitaries. Our we donated to the U.S. Marines TOYS FOR TOTS program, holiday cheer!
registration fee, which is a new unwrapped toy (or toys) that collected approximately 600-plus toys. So, grab your ugly sweaters or T-shirts, friends, family, furry
we donated to the U.S. Marines TOYS FOR TOTS program, The parade theme this year is Ugly Christmas Sweaters or pets … and community together, we’ll make the 48th Annual
collected approximately 600-plus toys. T-shirts. The parade is open to all people, groups, organizations JTAA Christmas Parade roar in 2024!