Tuesday, December 17th, 2019
The Dana Shores/Pelican Island caroling tradition began in 2015 out of the bed of a pick-up truck. By 2017, we had grown to twenty-four carolers, and in 2018 we grew our carolers again by nearly fifty percent.
The best part of the 2018 event was the children. As the adults climbed back onboard the hayride after singing carols to an elderly neighbor on Dana Shores Drive, four young boys rushed back to the gentleman to wish him the merriest of Christmases one more time. His eyes filled with joy, and everyone became teary eyed. Although fleeting, it was the sweetest of moments.
We continue to have a strong core group of folks who orchestrate the event – getting the trailer and hay, coordinating the stops, decorating the trailer, helping folks on and off the sleigh, and hosting the before and after party. We also have talented musicians in the neighborhood who organize our musical program and lead the group on the guitar.
In 2018, every seat was taken on the trailer and in the truck. We also had an entourage of cars, golf carts, and bicyclists following the sleigh.
At each home we visited, neighbors from adjacent homes came out and enjoyed the music as well. Many of the homes we visited provided snacks to our carolers and invited their neighbors over to enjoy the festivities. Each year, this event brings a special night of joy and holiday cheer.
This year, we are looking for volunteers with golf carts (or other vehicles) to assist in bringing along more carolers – Santa’s sleigh is no longer big enough to accommodate the crowd. If you would like to join us as we travel through the neighborhood, can offer up additional transportation options, or would like to request we visit your household, please email us at info@danashores.com.
This year, we’ll be meeting at the home of Holly and Joey Simmons at 6:30 p.m. to gather and take off from there. Refreshments will be available on the sleigh; shareable dishes are welcomed for pre/post caroling. See the December issue of the Shorelines for more details.
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