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Third annual ‘A Very GNV Holiday Parade’ kicks off season in Gainesville

Dec 6, 2025 9:01 pm
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Marion J. Caffey, co-grand marshal for the parade, meets with Albert and Alberta. Photo by Seth Johnson
Marion J. Caffey, co-grand marshal for the parade, meets with UF mascots Alberta and Albert.
Photo by Seth Johnson
Key Points

More than 100 entries participated in the third annual “A Very GNV Holiday Parade” on Saturday in downtown Gainesville.

The parade kicked off at noon from the NW 6th Street and West University Avenue intersection with award-winning saxophonist Emmanuel Garilus and producer, director and theatrical creator Marion J. Caffey at the helm as co-grand marshals. 

The 2025 “A Very GNV Holiday Parade” is the city’s third since resurrecting the tradition it hadn’t celebrated since the 1990s. 

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Former Florida Gators head football coach Steve Spurrier acted as the inaugural grand marshal in 2023, followed by basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal in 2024.  

Emmanuel Garilus, co-grand marshal, plays the saxophone during A Very GNV Holiday Parade. Photo by Seth Johnson
Photo by Seth Johnson Emmanuel Garilus, co-grand marshal, plays the saxophone during A Very GNV Holiday Parade.
A Very GNV Holiday Parade featured floats, music and candy handed out by costumed helpers. Photo by Seth Johnson
Photo by Seth Johnson A Very GNV Holiday Parade featured floats, music and candy handed out by costumed helpers.
The Aquatics Club of Gainesville at the 2025 A Very GNV Holiday Parade. Photo by C.J. Gish
Photo by C.J. Gish The Aquatics Club of Gainesville at the 2025 A Very GNV Holiday Parade.
A vintage fire engine rumbles through A Very GNV Holiday Parade. Photo by Seth Johnson
Photo by Seth Johnson A vintage fire engine rumbles through A Very GNV Holiday Parade.
The Richard E. Parker Alumni Band at the 2025 A Very GNV Holiday Parade. Photo by C.J. Gish
Photo by C.J. Gish The Richard E. Parker Alumni Band at the 2025 A Very GNV Holiday Parade.
Commissioner James Ingle and Commissioner Desmon Duncan-Walker wave at attendees from the city's main float. Photo by Seth Johnson
Photo by Seth Johnson Commissioner James Ingle and Commissioner Desmon Duncan-Walker wave at attendees from the city’s main float.
The Gainesville Latino Women's League at the 2025 A Very GNV Holiday Parade. Photo by C.J. Gish
Photo by C.J. Gish The Gainesville Latino Women’s League at the 2025 A Very GNV Holiday Parade.
Commissioner Cynthia Chestnut, who pushed to restart the city parade, greets attendees from atop a convertible. Photo by Seth Johnson
Photo by Seth Johnson Commissioner Cynthia Chestnut, who pushed to restart the city parade, greets attendees from atop a convertible.
Swamp City Fitness at the 2025 A Very GNV Holiday Parade. Photo by C.J. Gish
Photo by C.J. Gish Swamp City Fitness at the 2025 A Very GNV Holiday Parade.
Commissioner Casey Willits rides in a convertible during A Very GNV Holiday Parade. Photo by Seth Johnson
Photo by Seth Johnson Commissioner Casey Willits rides in a convertible during A Very GNV Holiday Parade.
The Billy Mitchell Drill Team at the 2025 A Very GNV Holiday Parade. Photo by C.J. Gish
Photo by C.J. Gish The Billy Mitchell Drill Team at the 2025 A Very GNV Holiday Parade.
Commissioner Bryan Eastman rides and waves during the parade. Photo by Seth Johnson
Photo by Seth Johnson Commissioner Bryan Eastman rides and waves during the parade.
Jazz's Wonderland at the 2025 A Very GNV Holiday Parade. Photo by C.J. Gish
Photo by C.J. Gish Jazz’s Wonderland at the 2025 A Very GNV Holiday Parade.
Cub Scout Pack 127 prepares to march in A Very GNV Holiday Parade. Photo by Seth Johnson
Photo by Seth Johnson Cub Scout Pack 127 prepares to march in A Very GNV Holiday Parade.
Members of Scorpio Construction at the 2025 A Very GNV Holiday Parade. Photo by C.J. Gish
Photo by C.J. Gish Members of Scorpio Construction at the 2025 A Very GNV Holiday Parade.
Deputies with the Alachua County Sheriff's Office and officers with Gainesville Police Department ride through downtown for A Very GNV Holiday Parade. Photo by Seth Johnson
Photo by Seth Johnson Deputies with the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office and officers with the Gainesville Police Department ride through downtown for A Very GNV Holiday Parade.
Ministries of Expressive Song and Dance at the 2025 A Very GNV Holiday Parade. Photo by C.J. Gish
Photo by C.J. Gish Ministries of Expressive Song and Dance at the 2025 A Very GNV Holiday Parade.
Dr. Sinn's Freak Island Musical Sideshow Clown Marching Band gathers ahead of the parade. Photo by Seth Johnson
Photo by Seth Johnson Dr. Sinn’s Freak Island Musical Sideshow Clown Marching Band gathers ahead of the parade.
The Boys & Girls Club of Northeast Florida at the 2025 A Very GNV Holiday Parade. Photo by C.J. Gish
Photo by C.J. Gish The Boys & Girls Club of Northeast Florida at the 2025 A Very GNV Holiday Parade.
Eastside ROTC marches in A Very GNV Holiday Parade. Photo by Seth Johnson
Photo by Seth Johnson Eastside ROTC marches in A Very GNV Holiday Parade.
Synergy Medical Group at the 2025 A Very GNV Holiday Parade. Photo by C.J. Gish
Photo by C.J. Gish Synergy Medical Group at the 2025 A Very GNV Holiday Parade.
Gainesville Commissioner Ed Book greets parade attendees. Photo by Seth Johnson
Photo by Seth Johnson Gainesville Commissioner Ed Book greets parade attendees.
Danceink by Davis at the 2025 A Very GNV Holiday Parade. Photo by C.J. Gish
Photo by C.J. Gish Danceink by Davis at the 2025 A Very GNV Holiday Parade.
Members of Gainesville Dazzling Black Hat Divas ready to enter the parade. Photo by Seth Johnson
Photo by Seth Johnson Members of Gainesville Dazzling Black Hat Divas ready to enter the parade.
The Humane Society of North Central Florida at the 2025 A Very GNV Holiday Parade. Photo by C.J. Gish
Photo by C.J. Gish The Humane Society of North Central Florida at the 2025 A Very GNV Holiday Parade.
Members of Greater Bethel A.M.E. Church prepare to sing on their float through the parade. Photo by Seth Johnson
Photo by Seth Johnson Members of Greater Bethel A.M.E. Church prepare to sing on their float through the parade.
The Gainesville Roller Rebels at the 2025 A Very GNV Holiday Parade. Photo by C.J. Gish
Photo by C.J. Gish The Gainesville Roller Rebels at the 2025 A Very GNV Holiday Parade.
Miss Florida and Miss Gainesville 2025 Paris Richardson (left) and Miss Gainesville's Teen Ashlee Combee. Photo by Seth Johnson
Photo by Seth Johnson Miss Florida and Miss Gainesville 2025 Paris Richardson (left) and Miss Gainesville’s Teen Ashlee Combee.
2025 Queen of Sugarhill Lucille Miles at the 2025 A Very GNV Holiday Parade. Photo by C.J. Gish
Photo by C.J. Gish 2025 Queen of Sugarhill Lucille Miles at the third annual A Very GNV Holiday Parade.
Miss Gainesville's Teen 2025 Ashlee Combee waves during A Very GNV Holiday Parade. Photo by Seth Johnson
Photo by Seth Johnson Miss Gainesville’s Teen 2025 Ashlee Combee waves during A Very GNV Holiday Parade.
Upper Room Dance Ministry at the 2025 A Very GNV Holiday Parade. Photo by C.J. Gish
Photo by C.J. Gish Upper Room Dance Ministry at the 2025 A Very GNV Holiday Parade.
Sitting atop a vintage fire truck, parade attendees wave. Photo by Seth Johnson
Photo by Seth Johnson Sitting atop a vintage fire truck, parade attendees wave.
Cumbia Collective of Gainesville at the 2025 A Very GNV Holiday Parade. Photo by C.J. Gish (1)
Photo by C.J. Gish Cumbia Collective of Gainesville at the 2025 A Very GNV Holiday Parade.
State Rep. Yvonne Hayes Hinson greets parade attendees. Photo by Seth Johnson
Photo by Seth Johnson State Rep. Yvonne Hayes Hinson greets parade attendees.
Representatives of Santa Fe College and the Builders of North Central Florida's apprentice program at the 2025 A Very GNV Holiday Parade. Photo by C.J. Gish
Photo by C.J. Gish Representatives of Santa Fe College and the Builders of North Central Florida’s apprentice program at the 2025 A Very GNV Holiday Parade.
The Alachua County Libraray District readies to march in A Very GNV Holiday Parade with giant library cards and book carts. Photo by Seth Johnson
Photo by Seth Johnson The Alachua County Library District readies to march in A Very GNV Holiday Parade with giant library cards and book carts.
The Eastside High School band at the 2025 A Very GNV Holiday Parade. Photo by C.J. Gish
Photo by C.J. Gish The Eastside High School band at the 2025 A Very GNV Holiday Parade.
The Alachua County Public Schools float travels through downtown Gainesville. Photo by Seth Johnson
Photo by Seth Johnson The Alachua County Public Schools float travels through downtown Gainesville.
Peak Literacy at the 2025 A Very GNV Holiday Parade. Photo by C.J. Gish
Photo by C.J. Gish Peak Literacy at the 2025 A Very GNV Holiday Parade.
The CPPI float gathers ahead of the parade start. Photo by Seth Johnson
Photo by Seth Johnson The CPPI float gathers ahead of the parade start.
Members of the Gainesville Housing Authority at at the 2025 A Very GNV Holiday Parade. Photo by C.J. Gish
Photo by C.J. Gish Members of the Gainesville Housing Authority at at the 2025 A Very GNV Holiday Parade.
The Gainesville Police Department Forensics Unit passes by in the parade. Photo by Seth Johnson
Photo by Seth Johnson The Gainesville Police Department Forensics Unit passes by in the parade.
2025 Sugarhill princess Harlow Ross (right) at the 2025 A Very GNV Holiday Parade. Photo by C.J. Gish
Photo by C.J. Gish 2025 Sugarhill princess Harlow Ross (right) at the 2025 A Very GNV Holiday Parade.
The Gainesville Police Department Honor Guard marches in A Very GNV Holiday Parade. Photo by Seth Johnson
Photo by Seth Johnson The Gainesville Police Department Honor Guard marches in A Very GNV Holiday Parade.
Howard Bishop Middle School's G-Squad at the 2025 A Very GNV Holiday Parade. Photo by C.J. Gish 1 (1)
Photo by C.J. Gish Howard Bishop Middle School’s G-Squad at the 2025 A Very GNV Holiday Parade.
The Manhood Foundation Inc. prepares to ride and walk through the parade. Photo by Seth Johnson
Photo by Seth Johnson The Manhood Foundation Inc. prepares to ride and walk through the parade.
All Star Twirling members at the 2025 A Very GNV Holiday Parade. Photo by C.J. Gish
Photo by C.J. Gish All Star Twirling members at the 2025 A Very GNV Holiday Parade.
The NAACP chomping at the bite to enter the parade. Photo by Seth Johnson
Photo by Seth Johnson The NAACP chomping at the bite to enter the parade.
Members of Gainesville's Park Run at the 2025 A Very GNV Holiday Parade. Photo by C.J. Gish
Photo by C.J. Gish Members of Gainesville’s Park Run at the 2025 A Very GNV Holiday Parade.
The UF Mobile Stroke Unit and crew joined the parade near the top of the order. Photo by Seth Johnson
Photo by Seth Johnson The UF Mobile Stroke Unit and crew joined the parade near the top of the order.

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