Candidate for Brevard County Public Defender, Ken, and his crew of supporters let the good times roll at Cocoa Village’s Mardi Gras parade and celebration! Saturday evening the Vote Rhoden Mobile (a great old Chevy pickup with almost 200,000 miles!) was jazzed up in gold, green and purple foil, balloons, and tulle – oh, and some great lights, too! With 10 people riding in the built-by-Ken safety rail lined truck bed there were over 3,000 beads thrown out just from Ken’s group! Thanks to Chris & Julia for driving and riding co-pilot, to Barbara & Cathy for joining the group, and to all the great volunteers who rode along. As the only candidate participating in the parade this year the crew was well received all along the parade route. Of course the honorable Michael Blake, Mayor of Cocoa was present in his best Mardi Gras finery and we were lucky to have him visit several times during staging and after the parade was over. The photos don’t do this experience justice but they are all we have to share! (A special Thank You to everyone who signed Ballot Petitions for us before the parade!)
Cocoa Village Mardi Gras Parade with Ken Rhoden
Ken Rhoden and his crew are going to be IN the Cocoa Village Mardi Gras Parade on Saturday, February 25th at 8pm. Riders will be tossing beads and Mardi Gras coins out to the crowd along the route through beaut
iful Cocoa Village. Schedule of events for the evening can be found on the official website. But the weekend is chock full of fun activities for all the members of your family – including the dogs!
Thanks to the overall sponsors: City of Cocoa, Brighthouse Networks, and Cocoa Hyundai.
Here is a brief list of events, reposted from the official Cocoa Village Mardi Gras website:
February 24-26, 2012
A True New Orleans Celebration right here in Cocoa Village
Family Gras: Friday, February 24, 2012
Riverfront Park, 5-9pm
Cocoa Village Mardi Gras: Saturday, February 25, 2012
Cocoa Village, 5pm-12am
- Entry is $8.00 in advance for adults and $5.00 in advance for children 12 and under; $12.00 for adults the day of the event and $8.00 for children 12 and under the day of the event
- Headliner is Bill “The Sauce Boss” Wharton
- Fantastic authentic Mardi Gras style entertainment on two stages
- Roaming entertainment
- Central Florida News 13 parade of floats begins at 8pm with thousands of beads to catch
- Authentic Cajun style food and New Orleans atmosphere
Mardi Gras Paws in the Park: Sunday, February 26, 2012
Riverfront Park, 12-3pm
- Spectacular event for your furry friends, hosted by the Central Brevard Humane Society
- Rescue organizations
- Doggie vendors
- Dog Costume contests
- Demonstrations
- Crowning of the Mardi Gras Paws King and Queen
- Sponsored by Central Brevard Humane Society
Brevard Superhero 5k Benefitting the Guardian Ad Litem Program
The Brevard County Guardian Ad Litem program hosted a fundraiser Superhero 5k run/walk today, February 4, 2012. The event was held at Space Coast Stadium and was well attended (just see the crowds in the photos!)
Ken ran in the 5k to support this worthy cause and run he did. No wonder he’s been called Rocket Rhoden! He placed first in his age group with a solid 8:08 per mile pace. But as always, Ken directed attention to the real reason for the event, “The kids are the ones that need to win and supporting local fundraisers like the Superhero 5k is one way that all of us can help. Run or walk, donate time or door prizes, there is something we all can do,” said Ken.
If you are interested in learning more about the Guardian Ad Litem program, visit them online to read about the organization. Or if you think you’d like to be a Guardian Ad Litem, please contact the wonderful staff:
For more information on how to become a child advocate, please contact Patricia Williams at the Moore Justice Center, 2825 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera, Florida 32940. The number is 321-508-4595 or fax 321-690-6897. You can also send your questions to Patricia.Williams@gal.fl.gov.
Friday Fest was Very Festive!
Friday, January 13, Ken and quite a few volunteers attended Downtown Melbourne’s Friday Fest celebration hosted by Melbourne Mainstreet. There was music, laughter, and great fun from before 6pm all the way to closing at 10pm. Several hundred people young and young-at-heart came by, met Ken, signed ballot petitions, and made everyone smile. The Vote Rhoden team table was ablaze with light and bright personalities. Thank you to all the volunteers (human and canine!) who gave up their warm plans to come and work with Ken in the chilly evening air.
If you would like to volunteer to help in the future, please call Ken, email, or visit the Volunteer Page here on this site.
Remember, Friday Fest is the 2nd Friday of every month (except December) and is a great place to spend the evening with your family!
A Runner Running for Office
The Space Coast Runners newsletter for January 2012 is out. And featured are Ken, his fiance’, and dog in the monthly Run a Mile With profile article. There are three pages of information about all three running habits along with some interesting tidbits about their likes and plans. You can view the newsletter using this link to the SCR Newsletter and Adobe Reader or view the gallery posted below. If you are interested in running with the club or joining, please visit their site at www.spacecoastrunners.org or ask Ken when you see him!
