Snow in Florida??

Monday November 21, 2017

So who says there is no snow in Florida??  It may be fake snow but it is considered snow just the same.

Third Ave South in Naples has a tree lighting every year on the Monday before Thanksgiving.  I have missed this event several years now and made it a point to go this year.

Boy was I surprised at what a big deal this event is for Naples.  I was told by the barista at Bad Ass Coffee to get there early because parking is at a premium.  My PFW FL riding buddy, Deb, went with me to enjoy the festivities.  We arrived at 4 PM and found a good parking spot right near 3rd St and Broad.  There were street vendors selling cookies and other types of food along 3rd St even at this early hour.  The streets were pretty quiet and so were the happy hour places recommended to me also by the barista, Jen, at Bad Ass Coffee.  We checked out the Ridgeway first, though, where the tree was being lit so that we knew exactly where we had to be at 6:20 PM for the tree lighting and snowfall.  How about that....predictable snow fall!

My friend Deb posing by the first Christmas tree.  This is not the one that was lit later in the evening.

A Christmas tree made from Bromelades ( remember those plants from the botanical gardens? )

Little girl handing out treats along the parade route

Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus on the firetruck in the parade

 Street musician

A view of 3rd Ave South during the festivities

We looked at The Bevy for happy hour, which was too sterile for the both of us, and the people didn't look friendly at all.  We went back to The Sea Salt ( we had checked this place out when we went to find the tree) which was very lively by that time we came back at 4:30 PM.  We were not able to get a seat for a while but it was worth the wait.  The bar bites menu was all seafood and a great selection of choices.

We finished our drinks and food and quickly headed to the tree lighting area in front of the The Ridgeway to get as close up as possible.

So here comes the snow.

There were snow making machines on the tops of lamp posts.  The
snow didn't feel wet so I am not sure what they used to make the snow

As we continued to make our way back to the car we spotted some young musicians playing the harp.  They were fantastic and so young!

 Old Naples Building

We made one last stop at the live nativity that was at the beginning of the street.

We had a great time and were very happy that we made the effort to go to this awesome event.  Naples was truly alive on Third Ave South!