Gainesville names Steve Spurrier grand marshal for holiday parade

Steve Spurrier (left) joins Gainesville City Commissioner Cynthia Chestnut and Mayor Harvey Ward before recording a promotional piece for the 2023 A Very GNV Holiday Parade.
Steve Spurrier (left) joins Gainesville City Commissioner Cynthia Chestnut and Mayor Harvey Ward before recording a promotional piece for the 2023 A Very GNV Holiday Parade.
Courtesy city of Gainesville

The city of Gainesville named former Florida Gators football coach and 1966 Heisman Trophy winner Steve Spurrier as its grand marshal for the city’s inaugural A Very GNV Holiday Parade.

The event is scheduled for noon on Saturday, Dec. 2, and will move from W. University Avenue and Sixth Street for approximately one mile. The procession will end at the Alachua County Public Schools Administration Building at 620 E. University Ave. 

“It’s a very nice honor,” said Spurrier in the press release, noting he also served as the grand marshal of the 2016 UF homecoming parade.

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Spurrier’s history with Gainesville dates back to his arrival at UF as a star recruit in 1963.   

“We are absolutely delighted Coach Spurrier is going to be our grand marshal,” said Gainesville City Commissioner Cynthia Chestnut in the press release. “We invite everyone to join us for a fun day in Downtown Gainesville.”

The parade marks the first of several city events on tap on Dec. 2 to usher in the holiday season. There will be afternoon activities at Bo Diddley Plaza, followed by the Historic Thomas Center Gardens’ annual Holiday Lights Celebration located at 302 NE 6th Ave.

To participate in the parade, the registration form, parade rules and additional information can be found by clicking here or by the Historic Thomas Center or Gainesville City Hall (200 E. University Ave.). Registration closes on Monday, Nov. 13.

The registration form, parade rules and additional details can be found online, or picked up at City Hall (200 E. University Ave.) or the Historic Thomas Center (302 NE Sixth St.).

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Gator Bruce

Great idea!