Santa, also known as John Kostialik, made his annual stop in Lexington Oaks on Dec. 10 — starring in a parade aimed at bringing seasonal spirit to Central Pasco community.
The annual Santa parade, sponsored by the Lexington Oaks Security Patrol, including appearances by Santa (Kostialik) and Mrs. Claus (Julie Kuhn), fire trucks, a marching band and decked-out golf carts.
Each year, the parade wends its way along Lexington Oaks Boulevard and stops in front of the village entrances to greet families with good Christmas cheer and candy.
This year, Fire Rescue Station 13 supplied some red plastic fire helmets to give out to kids.
Stacey Russo, a parade spectator, recapped some observations on Facebook.
She said this year’s event “was my favorite parade so far.”
Russo loved seeing “all the fire trucks, Santa and Mrs. Claus, Frosty, all the golf carts decked out,” an “amazing decorated jeep,” she wrote on Facebook.
She also enjoyed seeing the kids getting fire hats and candy and watching the marching band featuring members from Wesley Chapel and Cypress Creek high schools.
“How many smiles were made,” Russo commented.
Santa said the toughest part of getting ready for the parade is allowing his beard to grow during Florida’s hot summers.
He was pleased by this year’s event.
“Thank you to all who helped and all who came to watch,” he said. “See ya’ll next year!”
Published December 21, 2022
