LAKELAND, Fla. — Lakeland's famed Christmas parade that's already running on a different route this year due to construction is being tweaked yet again following concerns about the city's iconic swans.
Construction work on Orange Street forced organizers to alter the traditional parade route alongside Lake Morton on Lake Morton Drive. That could have potentially put more people in the area and disturbed the animals, according to the organizers of a petition.
Hundreds of signatures later, city officials announced a change.
“After much consideration during our most recent event meeting, the group decided to not include Lake Morton Drive in the 2023 parade route. We are going to follow the same route we did in 2006 when the parade was shortened because of downtown construction," said Bob Donahay, the city's parks director, in a statement.
"This decision is based on public safety and the expense it would take to properly manage the lakeshore but possible impacts to the swan population at Lake Morton was another huge factor.”
The start of the parade will be marked by fireworks at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, over Lake Mirror. For street-by-street parade directions, click or tap here.
Roads that are impacted by the parade route will close at 5 p.m. except for the portion of Lime Street between Florida Avenue and Lake Beulah Drive, which will close at 3 p.m., the city said.
The city asks that no chairs be placed on the parade route until the parade day.
Fire Chief Doug Riley said in a statement: “We understand people want a good vantage point to watch the parade. Unfortunately, we have chairs blocking sidewalks and crosswalks days before the parade.” Police Chief Sammy Taylor adds, “This causes a major hazard, especially for those in our community that use wheelchairs and walkers to get around.”
The city will remove/relocate chairs that are totally blocking sidewalks, in the way of crosswalks and hindering the use of disabled parking spaces.
“We understand the excitement surrounding this event, but we also want to keep in mind the safety of all our citizens.” Riley and Taylor said, “Please, no chairs on the parade route before Thursday, December 7th.”
This year's parade theme is "Candyland;" each float will be required to incorporate the theme into their design.