Gov. Rick Scotts inaugural parade featured marching bands, floats, and appropriately enough for the upstart Republican, elephants.
The pachyderms were part of the Barnum and Baileys Circus entry and contributed to the festive atmosphere Tuesday afternoon in Tallahassee hours after Scott and the other members of his Cabinet were sworn in.
Scott and Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll worked the crowd, ranging from one side of Monroe Street (renamed Rick Scott Way for the occasion) to the other, shaking hands and posing for pictures with supporters.
New Cabinet members Attorney General Pam Bondi, Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater and Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services Adam Putnam stayed mainly to the center of the parade route, but Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, who is rumored to be mulling a run for the U.S. Senate, was busy shaking hands.
Lining the parade route was a mixture of supporters of the new administration from across Florida and residents of the heavily Democratic capital. Even those skeptical of Scotts politics, however, are optimistic that an economic turnaround for the state is on the horizon.
Im excited to see how hes going to create all the jobs. Im a little concerned and Im curious of all the changes that hes going to be making, said Tallahassee resident Donna Ayres.
After a bitter campaign season and a narrow victory for Scott, the parade was a chance to unite Floridians, and the large variety among the 70 entrants attempted to do just that.
I think it does kind of help to bring everyone together. I think everyone is waiting to see what the new governor does, said Nicole Dixon, a Tallahassee resident.
Cheerleaders and baton twirlers from high schools from Naples to Panama City marched in front of bands that belted out patriotic ballads. Conquistadors, Andrew Jackson and Ponce de Leon held the themes for parade floats as beads and silver coins were hurled at the audience.
The color guards and JROTC entrants that marched in step were a precursor to the later military hardware when it rolled out the heavy artillery -- literally.
Dixon came to see her daughter perform in the Leon High School Band, but it was the local university bands that were the main draw for some parade watchers.
The energy and precision of the Florida A&M University Marching 100 and the Florida State University Marching Chiefs were a bonus for Sandra Whitehead, who also came to watch her daughter in the Leon High School Band.
Its just fun to come and see the enthusiasm of all these young people. Its a huge parade, its an opportunity for hope, Whitehead said.
Reach Gray Rohrer at grohrer@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
