City's Christmas Parade winners announced

Thank you to everyone who came out for the city’s Bright Lights & Merry Nights Christmas Parade. More than 50 entries participated in this year’s parade to the delight of hundreds who lined downtown Beach Street Saturday night!

Congratulations to this year’s parade winners:

Mayor’s Choice Magic of Christmas Award: Mainland High School Marching Band
Storybook Christmas Award: A Salty Dog Property Management Company
Friends of Rudolph Award: Beacon Center
Dancing Elves Award: Dedicated Characters and More & Campbell Middle School Band
Best Float – First Place: Daytona's Endless Summer Campground
Best Float – Second Place: World's Most Famous Brewery

Thank you to our sponsors: Presenting Sponsor Brown & Brown Insurance and Supporting Sponsors Daytona International Auto Mall and Southern Stone Communications, HOT 94.1.

Downtown Food Truck Rally tonight

Head to downtown Daytona Beach tonight for a Food Truck Rally. From 5 to 9 p.m. enjoy music, fun and food trucks on Magnolia Avenue between Beach Street and Palmetto Avenue.

The Downtown Daytona Nights Food Truck Rally is sponsored by the Downtown Development Authority and the Riverfront Shops of Daytona Beach.

Bring the kids for photos with Santa

The Downtown Farmers’ Market will host Santa Claus from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. this Saturday. Families with children can have their pictures taken with Old Saint Nick by a professional photographer for free.

Free photographs will be sent by email or text to the parent (or guardian) before Dec. 25.

City services holiday schedule

City offices will be closed Dec. 24 and Dec. 27 for the Christmas holiday, and Dec. 31 for New Year’s Day.

There will be NO CHANGE to the residential collection schedule for Christmas and New Year’s since both holidays fall on a Saturday this year. Please place garbage, yard waste and recycling curbside on your regular collection day.

Resurfacing of roads in Woodcliff Estates starts Monday

Since implemented, it’s been smooth sailing for the city’s road resurfacing program. The ambitious program is beginning its fourth phase in Woodcliff Estates Monday and includes all of the roads in the subdivision off Nova Road. Sidewalks have already been evaluated and repairs were made as needed. An electronic message board is in place at the subdivision’s entrance to advise residents of the upcoming paving work. Crews will work from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and the streets should be complete by mid-January.

County hosts beach cleanup Jan. 1

After the New Year celebrations, the beach can be cluttered with trash and debris, including small plastics that can be deadly to marine life.

Join Volusia County’s environmental specialists from 9 to 11 a.m. to clean up and start the New Year with a clean beach. The group will also learn about the North Atlantic right whale. To participate, meet at Sun Splash Park at 611 S. Atlantic Ave.

F.R.E.S.H. Book Festival, Jan. 6-8

F.R.E.S.H. Book Festival returns to Daytona Beach Jan. 6-8 for its 11th year of promoting “Literacy as a Legacy.” This engaging festival offers a weekend of entertainment with film, book and author presentations, focus groups and music. There will be a F.R.E.S.H. Community Film Festival Thursday, Jan. 6, followed by two days of all thing’s books at the city’s Midtown Cultural and Educational Center.

Special guest Chris Washburn, who was the third overall pick in the 1986 NBA draft to the Golden State Warriors, will be sharing his life story with festival attendees at 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 7, and 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 8, at the Midtown Cultural and Educational Center.

Michael Bolton concert at Peabody, Jan. 21

He’s sold more than 65 million albums and singles worldwide and continues to charm audiences with his soulful vocals and evocative ballads. Experience Grammy award-winning singer, songwriter and humanitarian Michael Bolton as he performs some of his greatest hits beginning at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 21, at Peabody Auditorium.

Ticket prices are $39.50, $49.50, $64.50 and $99.50 plus applicable surcharges. Tickets can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com or between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Peabody Box Office at 600 Auditorium Blvd.