A production crew from the Travel Channel will be on Captiva on Saturday, December 9 to
film the island’s annual Captiva Village Golf Cart Parade as part of a proposed
show based on unique Christmas events across the United States.
“We have a research office that was looking for stores
but not your typical Christmas festivals,” Travel Channel creative producer
Nicole Dunn said. “We are looking to showcase the best of the best across
America but wanted to get away from the typical stores like the Radio City
Rockettes or the lighting of the Rockefeller Center tree in New York City.”
The show, which will also feature a festival in Jennings,
Louisiana, a parade in New Mexico and Trappist monks in Missouri making
fruitcakes for the holidays, has a tentative working title of Cross Country
Christmas.
The Captiva segment will focus on the 3rd
annual Captiva Holiday Village Golf Cart Parade featuring the event’s history,
organizers, judges, parade participants, including previous year’s winners, and
participating resorts.
“This is such a great opportunity to bring our quirky
island festivities to the world,” said Golf Cart parade chair Denice Beggs. “This
is such a unique and fun event for locals to be involved in. the competition
has really increased, and many participants plan their decorations a year in
advance.”
“We’d love for as many people to come out to the even as
possible,” Dunn said. “The segment will be filmed in the style of reality
format as everyone is preparing for the event, decorating, watching and having
fun. It will almost be like we weren’t there.”
Each year, Captiva locals try to outdo their neighbor by
decorating their personal golf carts in lights, garland, hats and even plastic
flamingos. Fun, festive and sometimes gaudy outfits go along with the
tradition.
The three-weekend-long Captiva Holiday Village launched
its 2012 spectacular the Friday after Thanksgiving with fireworks, tree
lightings, holiday readings, and musical performance.
Each special-themed weekend is a fun-filled extravaganza
of sight and sound set against the backdrop of the Gulf of Mexico and evening
sunsets. In addition to the Golf Cart Parade, there will be the Lighted Boat
Parade to Junkanoo and fire dancers, live music and even a marching Mullet
Parade.
“Captiva is a remarkable island village known as a magnet
for creative people,” said Paul McCarthy of Captiva Cruises. “It’s famous for
its beautiful beaches, wildlife-filled waters, family-friendly atmosphere, and
quirky, relaxed way of life. This island is a perfect place to unwind from
holiday stress.”
All three weekends of events take place in Captiva’s
village center, where its colorful restaurants and shops will be festively
decorated.
As a highlight of this annual even, local hoteliers and
restaurants have again teamed up to offer six free two-night Captiva Holiday
Village weekends. Online entries are now being accepted at
www.captivaholidayvillage.com
Capitva Island resorts, inns, cottages and vacation homes
are also offering lodging specials in conjunction with this year’s event.
For a list of all vents and hotel packages, visit
www.captivaholidayvillage.com
Island Sun (December 7, 2012)
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