Brightly lit golf carts, some playing holiday songs, brought seasonal cheer to Nocatee Friday, Dec. 13 during the community’s second annual Holiday Golf Cart Parade.
Streaming in from every direction, they lined up in front of the stage at Nocatee Station Field, ready to go at 6 p.m. sharp.
Parades are becoming a popular Nocatee tradition, said Hannah Davis, Nocatee events manager, as she directed the carts, most filled with people of all ages, rolling across the field. “Last year, we had 250 for Christmas and 487 for Fourth of July.”
It had been a drizzly day, but the rain had ceased by sunset. “We were wondering if the weather would turn people away, but we’re hoping a lot will show up,” said operations manager Lee Hovis.
The carts kept coming as the night got darker. And the atmosphere was joyous as participants got ready for the start. After leaving the park, they would pass Splash Waterpark, then head down Crosswater Parkway through Town Center and then loop back, where they would be treated to the holiday-classic move “Elf” at the stage.
“It’s really for fun, for the neighborhoods to get together and celebrate the holidays,” Davis said. Lining up in order of arrival, she said, “Some go all out.”
Graham Cole and his 2-year-old daughter, Adelaide, came in a cart with other family members. “We did it last year, and it was a lot of fun,” Cole said.
