Veterans parade committee finalizes logistics, approves paid mascots and entertainers

The Town of Miami Lakes Veterans Committee approved several performer bookings, confirmed plans for VIP golf-cart vehicles and reviewed parade logistics and sponsorships as it finalized preparations for the annual veterans parade.

The committee approved budgeted performer fees after discussing availability and prices from professional teams. Committee members approved the Marlins dancers (no fee reported), a pair of Panthers dancers at $200 per hour, the Dolphins mascot and handler at $450 per hour, and pre-approved a Heat mascot up to $500. Motions for those approvals were seconded and passed during the meeting; votes were recorded as “Aye.”

Committee leaders also agreed to replace the Jeep VIP vehicles used in past years with 18 donated or loaned golf carts provided by a local golf-cart company. The carts will be used to transport dignitaries and veterans along the route; committee members discussed logistics including staging area size, signage and whether carts are 2- or 4-seat models. Organizers said the golf-cart providers will supply drivers and that the committee will ensure any adhesive signage is removed after the event.

The committee reviewed parade registrations and volunteer logistics: 12 parade registrations were reported at the meeting, and the organizer said multiple school groups — including Miami Lakes Middle and other neighborhood schools — had signed up. Committee members emphasized early registration to reduce day-of routing issues and confirmed plans for two morning vans to deliver water to staging and hydration stations along the route.

Budget and sponsorships were discussed. The organizer reported a $14,000 town allocation for the event plus $5,500 in confirmed sponsor dollars, for a working total of $19,500 for parade expenses and programming. Identified sponsors mentioned during the meeting included Headquarter Toyota and several local businesses; $1,500 was reported as a monetary luncheon sponsorship already committed.

Committee members set volunteer expectations and staging tasks: volunteers will be asked to arrive early (roughly 8 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. for setup), and staff will deliver water and materials to staging points per a site map. Organizers will email maps and volunteer assignments ahead of event day.

What’s next: organizers said the parade route will remain the same as the previous year and reminded members that performers and mascots can be costly and book early. The committee assigned follow-up tasks to confirm golf-cart sizes, collect a detailed list of cart drivers, finalize mascot arrival and post-parade photo…