The beloved Westchase tradition returns on Dec. 14 and marks a major milestone.
The Westchase Santa Parade is a beloved annual tradition that offers the perfect opportunity to gather with neighbors while awaiting a visit from Santa and his helpers. It is also an event that brings us together as a community to give back to those in need.
Dan O’Brien and Ralph Caputo launched the parade in 2005 with Santa, a firetruck, one simple float and a mission to raise awareness for the Westchase Charitable Foundation, a non-profit, volunteer-run organization dedicated to assisting those in the community who have a family member battling a serious illness or who are faced with a tragedy.
A Westchase tradition was born, and then it grew.
Westchase resident Steve Darr joined the parade in year two and has been the star of the show ever since. Darr admitted that he fully embraces playing the role of Santa. “It’s something I look forward to every year,” he said.
Darr reflected fondly on the Christmases of his youth, with Johnny Mathis records playing in the background as his mom baked what seemed like thousands of Christmas cookies. Becoming Santa one day each year is his way of passing those Christmas memories on. “I make it a point to make eye contact with every kid on the route,” he said.
Santa is a huge draw, but Caputo knew they would need more than the big guy on a fire engine and a single float to keep residents engaged each year. Thankfully, neighbor Alan Shabott was one step ahead of him. He spied Caputo constructing that first make-shift float on the bed of a U-Haul trailer and offered to help. Shabott then ventured out on his own and in the process became the official Abbotsford float designer. He enlisted the help of neighbors Brian Salek, Joe Grazlavich and Ray Opperman. Joe’s wife, Wendy, serves as a driver. Later, Shabott’s daughter Calley, son-in-law Mike Scanlon and their kids joined the crew.
Each year, Shabott and his family and friends devote countless hours to crafting floats and costumed creations. The goal is to create a new themed float every year. “My daughter and I fight about it for 364 days until we finally have to decide,” Shabott said with a laugh. “Usually, it is just based on characters that are popular with the kids or a new movie out about the classics like the Grinch.”
Not only did the parade grow, so did the mission.
“We also wanted a way to directly impact our immediate community,” Caputo said. Caputo and O’Brien came up with the idea to request donations of unwrapped toys that would be collected along the parade route and delivered children in need. After initially working with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Caputo began working with the Boys & Girls Club of Town ‘n Country to collect toys and bikes to serve as holiday gifts for its members. “Westchase is so generous, there are always excess toys that are then used to supplement toy drives at other Boys & Girls Clubs and Metropolitan Ministries,” Caputo said.
As Westchase residents are known to do, some found creative ways to encourage their neighbors to participate in the toy drive. Greendale residents Melissa and David Ferrainolo and Greencrest residents Lindsey and Mike Smith launched a friendly bike-collecting rivalry and have encouraged other neighborhoods over the years to follow suit. Caputo noted that in 2022, following Hurricane Ian, Westchase residents donated so many bikes that parade organizers were able to load up a truck and drive to Fort Meyers to deliver the extra bikes to families impacted by the devastating storm. He is hoping to see that same level of giving this year to help the children in Town ‘n Country who were impacted by Hurricane Helene.
The parade is a huge undertaking each year, but both Caputo and Shabott agree that, even after 20 years, the effort is well worth it. “Every year, to see the little ones who truly believe in Santa…the expressions on their faces…it almost brings you to tears,” Caputo said.
He also loves the lessons the toy donations teach our youngest residents. At a time when they are focused on gifts they will receive, they are also learning that is important to give back to those less fortunate.
Shabott finds his motivation in the true meaning of Christmas and the teachings of his faith that it is better to give than to receive. But in the end, it is the kids that keep him coming back. “Each year, after all the work and frustrations, to see the faces of the kids along the path and then to know that so many kids are going to wake up blessed who might otherwise not get gifts is such a blessing and inspiration,” he said.
As for Darr? He hopes the parade never ends.
It Takes a Village
While Caputo and Brandon O’Brien (Dan’s son) now handle the logistics, they are the first to admit the parade would not be possible without the tireless efforts of so many local organizations, businesses and families. Taylor Financial is the parade’s lead sponsor, and World of Westchase is a supporting sponsor. The Westchase CDD board of supervisors provides the off-duty deputies for parade safety. This year’s luncheon, which feeds parade volunteers during the mid-day parade break, is once again being generously hosted by the Metzger Family of Radcliffe. Michael Levy of Rockatar provides the entertainment as residents await the tree lighting in West Park Village. Caputo is also indebted to Alan Shabott and his family and crew for their creations for this year’s parade (which are top secret) and to Steve Darr for once again donning that Santa suit.
Be a part of the Parade
There is still time to be part of the parade! Residents interested in constructing a float can contact Ralph Caputo at thecaputos@yahoo.com or Brandon O’Brien at brandono850@gmail.com.
Tracking Santa
Residents hoping to track Santa’s progress can save the following link, http://glympse.com/!westchasesanta, to your phone or your computer and click on it at noon on Saturday, Dec. 14. The cursor marking Santa’s whereabouts won’t become active until roughly 2 p.m., the parade’s official start time.
Parade Route
The parade route can be found below. The highlighted roads in red indicate where Santa’s sleigh will travel. Residents are encouraged to follow the Santa tracker and greet Santa on the nearest road as he passes. Residents are also invited to attend the tree lighting in West Park Village at approximately 8 p.m.
