Santa's Sleighs on Four Wheels: A Very Merry Golf Cart Gallop
Dozens of decorated golf carts and the Oscar Meyer Wienermobile gather on Davis Islands to await the start of the Christmas Parade
This seems like one of those fun “only in Florida” stories.
Twelve years ago, Davis Islands resident and Realtor Kristen Morris came up with the idea of bringing folks in her neighborhood together for a holiday celebration. Davis Islands, being a golf cart-friendly community, seemed the perfect place for a golf cart parade, and thus the tradition began.
Contest judges Todd Morris and Tampa Parks and Rec representative Gabriel Gunn take on the difficult task of picking this year’s winners.
The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile helped celebrate, with folks taking selfies and getting to see the inside of the iconic vehicle
It started small. Sixteen carts gathered in Morris’s driveway in the first year, bedecked with ornaments and other holiday décor. It has since grown to a highly anticipated event, drawing 198 carts last year! This year, the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile joined the festivities. The parade starts at sundown at the end of the island near the former seaplane basin. As the entrants gather, Christmas music plays from some vehicles, children play games, and adults enjoy beverages and chat with fellow islanders.
It’s a family friendly event, where can kids create memories and neighbors reconnect
Even the big man himself stopped by with the Mrs., using a golf cart as a replacement sleigh.
Judging takes place before the start of the parade, and this year's judges included a Tampa Parks and Recreation staff member, last year's grand champion cart owner, and Todd Morris, organizer Kristen’s husband. It’s a tough call. Some entries have a simple string of lights, while others look like they've undergone months of planning and construction.
Wait, is that the Wienermobile in front of island shops.
It’s big doins as decorated golf carts roll through the business district on Davis Islands to the thrill of waiting crowds lining the street
The magic happens when the sun goes down. This year, 100 carts glowed right after sunset as the line of carts took to the streets escorted by the Tampa Police Department and a Fire Department truck, snaking their way through residential neighborhoods where folks lined the street and cheered as the dazzling carts passed. It’s over in 30 minutes, with the end of the parade landing at the DI Electric Vehicles shop, where the top three winners and two runners-up are announced. This year’s winner was a rock and roll-themed cart with a great light-up guitar, an awesome sound system, and an inflatable Santa on top.
Organizer Kristen Morris announces the 2024 winners of the Davis Islands Golf Cart Christmas Parade
2024 Grand Champion the Rock and Roll golf cart
If you have a golf cart and want to enter next year, follow the organizers on social media or contact them at digolfcartparade@gmail.com. It’s free, and you don’t have to be a Davis Islands resident to participate. Merry Christmas!