Letter from Key West: Holiday Parade
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by Nancy Klingener
- by Mark Hedden
Writer Nancy Klingener lives in Key West. Every year, she looks forward to a parade which marks the arrival of the holiday season.
She says, “In South Florida, seasons are subtle. The leaves don’t change color in the fall. The mud doesn’t sprout grass in the spring. So you look for different signs.”
The annual holiday parade features the usual marching bands and waving politicians. But, she tells us, there are also some “quintessentially Key West” features, including a svelte drag queen, a mock pope and a float by the Aqueduct Authority. It’s not an event that’s on the radar for most of us on the mainland, but it’s treasured by locals like Klingener.
- Key West angel in red sneakers/ Mark Hedden
Earlier this month, Klingener went to this eccentric parade, and sent us her “Letter from Key West.” (Listen on player at top of post.)
Tags: audio, Key West, Keys, Nancy Klingener
Well done! Particularly like the KWHS Band
thank you Nancy - we missed this years parade. now that we found your comment and Mark’s pics we feel that we have been there…XOE&J
Terrific, Nancy. You really captured the essence of not only the parade but Key West, too.