Everglades City
by Denise Wauters
If you felt a little extra pep in your step driving through Everglades City lately, you weren’t imagining it. Blue and white were everywhere — on storefronts, front porches, and even rolling down the road. And honestly? The town looked GOOD.
What started as a simple idea has quickly turned into one of those this-is-why-we-love-small-towns moments.
The spark came from Kimberly Kidder, who stepped into the role of head cheer coach last year — a full-circle moment, since she once wore the blue and white herself as a student. Wanting to create something fun for Homecoming and bring the whole community into the excitement, she borrowed a page from other small towns and kicked off a friendly Homecoming Spirit Competition.
Last year saw a handful of entries. This year? Everglades City showed up and showed out.
Businesses went all-in. Homes turned festive. Cars rolled through town proudly flying Gator colors. It wasn’t just decorating — it was participation, pride, and a whole lot of heart.
If you’re visiting and wondering why everything suddenly turned blue and white — the Gator is the mascot of Everglades City School, and Homecoming brings out some serious small-town pride.
After some tough judging — because let’s be honest, everyone deserved a trophy — the winners were announced:
Business Division
- Rod And Gun Club
- Island Cafe
- City Hall
Home Division
TK Sharp / Classic J Sharp
Car Division
The Kidders / Darcy Kidder
But here’s the real win: seeing an entire town come together in support of its cheerleaders, students, and athletes. From longtime locals to first-time decorators, the creativity, effort, and enthusiasm were impossible to miss.
And the best part? This is only year two.
If this year was any indication, Gator Spirit season is officially a thing — and it’s only going to get bigger, louder, and bluer from here.
