The Immokalee Christmas Around the World Committee and the Collier County Parks & Recreation Department will be hosting its 24th Annual Christmas Parade and Gala on Saturday, December 12, 2015 at 5:30 p.m. The Parade and Gala events occur in the evening and dress is festive - casual to fit the occasion (and weather). Christmas Around the World is a Community sponsored Event. Activities include a lighted night parade followed by a Christmas Gala at our community swimming pool with lots of food, games, music, machine-produced snow, our own Immokalee Talent contestants and lots of other entertainment. The highlight of the Christmas Gala is the Grand Finale that features the arrival of Santa Claus, via helicopter, courtesy of the Seminole Tribe of Immokalee. The Seminole Casino & Hotel provides a free book to any kid who takes a picture with Santa during the Gala Celebration. All Boys and Girls, please bring all your letters written to Santa to go into his mailbox! The parade will again feature a float competition, If you prefer a pre-packaged float, please go online to www.FestiveFloats.com for details regarding a ready-made float with costs (separate from sponsorship) and availability. The parade starts at 5:30 p.m. with a mandatory line-up time of 4:00 p.m. The parade route will start on the corner of Carver and First (1st) Streets directly across from the Seminole Casino and continue on a path that leads to the Immokalee High School’s football field parking lot. While unloading all floats, parents must pick up their children at the High School football field only. The Gala will start immediately thereafter at the Immokalee Soccer Field across our Immokalee High School. Partial proceeds from this Parade & Gala will go towards two scholarships per year to deserving Immokalee High School Seniors who plan to advance through higher education. The remaining funds will be used by Parks & Recreation to offset Gala Event expenditures. Because of budget restrictions, Parks and Recreation will be charging an entrance fee of $1.00 to all persons 36 inches and taller. “Immokalee’s most DECKED OUT CHRISTMAS House” If you think your house is the most Decked out house for Santa’s visit. you’ll want to share it with the Immokalee community and surrounding area and you’ll want to have a chance to be named Immokalee’s Most Decked Out Christmas House. All you have to do is make out an application with the Chamber of Commerce. Applications MUST be turned in by no later than Monday, December 14, 2015. Stop by the First Bank LPO to pick up an application (share your name, address, cell and house phone numbers and email address). The chamber is located at 1300 N. 15th Street, Ste. 2 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Judging will be on Thursday, December 17, 2015. Christmas lights MUST be turned on by 6 p.m. to be judged. There will be a first, second, and third place winners for a Christmas photo and cash prize. For any questions, contact Cherryle Thomas @ (239) 657-0080.