11/15/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 11/15/2024 15:14
Published on November 15, 2024
It's the holiday season and preparations are in full swing for the City of Gainesville's 2024 A Very GNV Holiday Parade.
In its second year, A Very GNV Holiday Parade begins at noon, Dec. 7, moving along W. University Avenue, beginning at 6th Street, and ending at 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.