Move over, Santa—Shaq-a-Claus is coming to town! Gainesville is gearing up for its second annual A Very GNV Holiday Parade, and this year, the city’s getting a little extra holiday magic in the form of NBA legend, larger-than-life personality, and all-around good guy Shaquille O’Neal.
The festivities kick off this Saturday at noon (as of this posting date…check your calendar and don’t miss it!) The parade starts on West University Avenue and cruising through town before wrapping up at the Alachua County Public Schools Administration Building.
Last year’s inaugural event pulled in a crowd of about 5,000, and this year’s lineup promises to be even bigger and better. With 110 official entries featuring everything from marching bands to dancing troupes and over-the-top floats, it’s shaping up to be a Gainesville-sized celebration.
The BIG Podcast with SHAQ
And the cherry on top? Shaq himself is taking center stage as this year’s grand marshal. That’s right—the Big Aristotle will be leading the charge, spreading holiday cheer the only way he knows how: big, bold, and with that unmistakable Shaq charm.
From his desk at the Emmy-winning NBA on TNT studio, Shaq dropped a quick, cheerful message for Gainesville residents: “I can’t wait to ring in the season at A Very GNV Holiday Parade. See you soon.” Short, sweet, and packed with Shaq-sized excitement.
Of course, the parade is just the start of the day’s festivities. After the floats roll through, the fun continues with a Kids Dance Party at Bo Diddley Plaza from 1 to 3 p.m. (fingers crossed for some Shaq-approved dance moves) and a Holiday Lights celebration at the Thomas Center Garden from 5 to 8 p.m. There’ll even be horse-drawn carriage rides through the Duckpond Neighborhood—because what’s a holiday celebration without a little magic?
Cynthia Chestnut, parade organizer and Gainesville’s mayor pro-tem, couldn’t be happier with the response from the community. “We’ve been overwhelmed with the number of people who want to be in the parade,” she said. “We’ve had to turn some people down, but overall, people are very excited.”
And while having Shaq as the star of the show is obviously a huge draw (who wouldn’t want to see a Hall of Famer in a holiday parade?), Chestnut says the event is about more than just one big name. “They’re excited about Shaq, but I think most of all, it’s the community spirit. There’s a great community spirit about celebrating Gainesville.”
So, whether you’re there for the floats, the bands, the lights, or just to see Shaq waving from atop a grand marshal-worthy ride, this year’s parade is guaranteed to deliver a hefty dose of holiday joy. And honestly, is there anything better than Shaq helping spread the festive vibes?
Mark your calendars, Gainesville. Shaq Claus is coming to town, and he’s bringing the holiday cheer in a big way. Don’t miss it! 🎄🎅🏽🏀