Downtown Stewart — Organizers and hosts drew a festive crowd as the VNA Stuart Christmas Parade rolled through Downtown Stewart, celebrating 100 years of Martin County and spotlighting local nonprofits, emergency services, schools and businesses.

The parade opened with the VNA Nightingale Mobile Medical Clinic leading the procession and organizers praising its outreach. "This is the mobile clinic... it goes around the community and gives free health care. You don't need to pay. There's it's sort of no questions asked," one parade speaker said, describing diagnoses and medication services offered on the unit. Speakers also thanked local first responders, including Martin County fire and rescue crews, and members of the Stewart Police Honor Guard.

Elected and civic leaders rode in the procession. The hosts pointed out the Martin County commissioners, law-enforcement color guards and named attendees including Sheriff Budan Singh and, on a motorcycle, "congressman" Brian Mast. Organizers repeatedly emphasized local pride tied to the county centennial and encouraged parade-goers to support community organizations and sponsors present that evening.

A steady stream of school bands, cheer squads and youth groups performed along the route. The Village Learning Center children sang "Christmas Jubilation" to applause from the crowd, and the Martin County Tigerettes were introduced after their appearance in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Local businesses and organizations — from boat dealers and roofing companies to the Knights of Columbus and the Martin County Democratic and Republican parties — marched with decorated floats.

Health and social-service groups were prominent: CareNet Treasure Coast’s mobile unit and the Martin County Healthy Start Coalition were among several entries noting maternal and reproductive-health services. Hosts reminded the public about local assistance and fundraising efforts, and gave a contact number for a maternal service mentioned on air.

The evening closed with judges convening to decide parade awards. Hosts thanked judges and sponsors (including Ebert's Law Firm and Fox Haven Roofing), and told viewers the parade coverage would air locally on Xfinity channel 20 and Hotwire channel 92 in the days after the event.

Organizers said the parade was intended to both entertain and raise awareness of the community-serving groups that operate in Martin County.