Street, Boat Parades Highlight Astor Christmas Festival On Saturday

    The Christmas season will be on center stage this coming Saturday in Astor, where community organizations are coming together to host a full day of holiday activities. The fun begins at 9 a.m. and won’t end until well after sundown, as River Country rolls out the red carpet for three community events.
   The Astor Community Association will kick off the fun, with its annual Holiday Market event. To be held at the association building on Ann Street, one block south of SR 40, the event will feature artisans, crafters, vintage items, and more. The ACA thrift shop will also be open, with a wide variety of holiday gift items traditionally available at the event, which runs until 1 p.m.
   The ACA is also the finishing point of the town street parade, organized by the Astor Area Chamber of Commerce. A ‘Hometown Beary Merry Christmas’ parade will kick off at 10 a.m. on Front Street next to the SR 40 river bridge, and snake its way through town to Ann Street and the ACA after passing along Front Street, Claire Street, Loyd Street, and Ann Street. A wide variety of floats is expected to be on hand again this year, as will dignitaries including Lil Miss and Mr. Astor. This year, Kason Wyckoff, 7, and Hilry Moran, 8 have been selected to those roles and will ride in the parade on a special float. Dozens of entries are expected to participate in this year’s parade.
   At 6:30 p.m., the Blackwater Yacht Club will host its annual Astor Christmas Lighted Boat Parade on the St. Johns River. The event, which historically welcomes dozens of boats of all sizes, will convene at Shell Island and travel to South Moon, passing through ‘downtown’ Astor along the way. There is no registration, judging, or prizes for the event.
   The public is invited to come view the parade from the St. Johns River shoreline, with parking available at the Butler Street Boat Ramp.