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We were disappointed though that the NLR Sunday parade had to be cancelled due to the rain - we were looking forward to our gymnasts riding in the parade.
2011 Jacksonville Christmas Parade
December 3, 2011
The Christmas parade on Saturday turned out to be great fun. The weather was cooperative (although it was chilly in the morning while we waited for the judges to arrive to see our dance and cheer performances) and we had a great turnout from all areas of Huff 'n Puff and Jax Gym, Dance and Cheerleading performers and parents. We all work so hard for the parades and they (the parades) always (for 30-31 years) have turned out to be so successful. I want to thank our staff and our parents for the great support that you all have shown for us. Jacksonville has a great Christmas parade and Huff 'n Puff is a big part of the parade. But, we couldn't do it without the hard work of Laurel and our staff members and all of our parents, like you all, who have supported us for many, many years and our newcomer parents. I hope that you are as proud of your children and how wonderful they looked and performed yesterday as we are, and that you are as proud of being a part of Huff 'n Puff as we are pleased that you are with us.
Note: All of the pictures taken at the parade were before the performances (none were taken during the actual performance for the judges) and before the parade began. I would like to have gotten more pictures but I ran out of time. I apologize to the staff for not getting more pictures and for not getting more pictures of our floats.
The following dances were judged about 11:30. The Tap 'n Tumblers and Ballet 'n Tumblers performed "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" and they were precious in their little red pillowcase dresses with the snowflake embroidered on the front and polka-dot hair and shoes bows. Several pictures from the dress rehearsal on Friday night are shown below. I apologize to the parents - I kept waiting for the coats to come off to take pictures of the dancers in formation and suddenly the judges were there and I didn't want to distract from the performance by moving around taking pictures. The dancers were so cute and I was so pleased to see how much they, as young dancers, ages three, four and five, had learned in such a short time. The dancers are from classes at both Huff 'n Puff and at LRAFB.
This photo was taken at the dress rehearsal and if you haven't seen all the pictures from the dress rehearsal, I encourage you to click on this link to see just how cute these performers are: http://www.huffnpuffgym.com/2011_Christmas%20Parade%20%20-%20Jax%20-%20Preschoolers.htm
Other dance performances were the "Deck the Hall" performers, whom I thought did such a good job. They were very clean and neat in their dance and I was quite impressed with the group. The group picture was taken at the dress rehearsal and pictures below that were taken during practice runs for the judges. The performers were from the recreational dance classes and several of the dancers were from the younger Jacksonville Dance Company. The dancers performed a hiphop dance to "Deck the Hall" and won the Second-Place Trophy for younger group dancers.
The "Santa Likes to Rock It" dancers performed a old traditional from years past at Huff 'n Puff, performing a unique tap dance. It was great to see them perform this entertaining dance. The performers are all members of the Jacksonville Dance Company, which is well-known for its strong tap program.
These are also dancers from the Jacksonville Dance Company who performed to "All I Want for Christmas" and won the First-Place Trophy for older performers. Only the First-Place winners get to perform at the Announcement area of the parade and these dancers did us all proud as they performed their entertaining dance for the large crowd.
This was the first public appearance for the Jacksonville All-Star Xtreme (JAX) Cheer Squad - and didn't they look great in their new cheer outfits!!!! We are all so impressed with our squad, who won the Third-Place Trophy for older performers. This was the first year that I was aware that they have given a third-place trophy - in the past it's been first and second so I am very pleased that the judges chose to honor our cheerleaders. (Not all of the squad were available to perform.) The younger cheerleaders who are not shown here will be competing next weekend in their first competition which is being held at the Hot Springs Convention Center.
Shown below are practice runs of the dances and performances and on the next page are pictures taken of the different groups before the parade began.
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