Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey said the fate of the city’s signature Winter Festival and holiday parade will come down to a day-of decision.
“If the weather does not cooperate and we have to postpone, we have to postpone. That is outside of our control so we’re gonna concentrate on the fun that we’re gonna have,” Dailey said during a conversation with Greg Tish on his morning radio show. “We are gonna do the anti-rain dance and have a great weekend, that’s for sure.”
The last time WinterFest was canceled was in 2023 due to thunderstorms that failed to materialize in force. Because of the logistics and traveling vendors, it can be difficult to reschedule the event, which prompted Tish to say Saturday was “all or nothing.”
Dailey, however, focused on the positive and expects the 39th annual celebration to continue.
“It’s going to be a beautiful festival,” he said, noting there will four stages of entertainment, food vendors and crafts. He also promised there would be “a very special guest” to flip the lights with city commissioners, which starts the annual Jingle Bell Run ahead of the Christmas parade.
The news comes just one day after the city posted to their various social media platforms: “As the City of Tallahassee prepares for Winter Festival on Saturday, Dec. 6, we are closely monitoring the weather forecast for the potential of impacts that would create unsafe conditions. The safety of our community, event participants and staff is paramount.”
Saturday will see a 60% to 80% chance of rain throughout the day and night. Thunderstorms are not in the current forecast. About 1 to 2 inches of rain is expected through the weekend.
As of the morning of Dec. 5, the city was putting last minute touches on Candy Cane Lane, the winter wonderland that will be open to residents beyond “WinterFest” until Dec. 14.
The holiday celebration takes over the chain of parks and is filled with food, vendors, parades and more. It will last from 3 to 10 p.m., with the Jingle Bell Run to go around 6 p.m. and the parade around 7 p.m. rounding off the night.
Big Bend into Georgia expecting several inches of rain
The city of Tallahassee is expected to get waves of rain over the weekend, the first significant showers to hit as the area is in the grips of an “exceptional drought.”
But it will be of little help.
According to the National Weather Service Tallahassee, showers are supposed to continue all the way through Dec. 7, leaving anywhere from an inch of rain to six inches in some extreme cases.
Winter Festival at a glance and road closures
The 39th annual Winter Festival, a Celebration of Lights, Music and the Arts, will fill downtown Tallahassee with merriment on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 3 to 10 p.m.. Visitors can enjoy delicious food vendors, unique arts and crafts merchants and sparkling holiday displays, including Candy Cane Lane in McCarty Park. Four stages of live entertainment will dot downtown and highlight local actors, dancers, musicians and more.
The Lighting Ceremony takes place at 6 p.m. on the parade announcers’ platform, located on South Monroe Street at Bloxham Park. The Capital Health Plan Jingle Bell Run begins at 6:15 p.m. The Nighttime Holiday Parade begins at 7:10 p.m.
Here’s a breakdown of roads that will be closed.
College Avenue – No access from Duval Street or Adams Street from 3 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5, through 12 a.m. on Sunday. Dec. 7.
Adams Street & Chain of Parks Festival, closed from 7 a.m. to midnightThe following intersections will be blocked starting at 7 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6:
Parade Staging Area, closed from 4-11 p.m.The Parade Staging Area will be on Monroe Street from Brevard Street to Tennessee Street. The following intersections will be blocked to ensure the Staging Area is closed:
Parade Route/Jingle Bell Run Route Closed 5-11 p.m. (See map for Routes)
Arianna Otero is the trending and breaking news reporter for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact her via email at AOtero@tallahassee.com and follow her on X: @ari_v_otero.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Winter Festival fate a ‘day-of decision,’ but Mayor Dailey optimistic
Reporting by Arianna Otero, Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
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