The 62nd Annual St. Cloud Christmas Parade brought thousands of families to Downtown St. Cloud on Saturday, December 6, 2025—but this year’s celebration carried a special sparkle as longtime community advocate and Draper Law Office founder Attorney Charlie Draper was honored as Grand Marshal.
Grand Marshal Charlie Draper Brings Classic Christmas Charm
This year’s Grand Marshal, Charles B. “Charlie” Draper, delivered a moment of timeless holiday magic. Draper—admired throughout Osceola County for his decades of community giving and professional excellence—rode in a glistening white carriage pulled by a sparkling white Hastings Ranch pickup truck. Wearing a crisp white suit, gloves, a classic top hat, and a bright green bow tie, Draper waved to cheering families along the parade route, embodying the pageantry, tradition, and spirit of the season.
“Charlie Draper represents everything we hope to highlight in this parade—commitment, character, and a deep love for our community,” said St. Cloud Chamber President & CEO Dirk Webb. “Honoring him as Grand Marshal is a tribute not just to his career, but to the kindness and integrity he brings to Osceola County every day.”
For many longtime residents, seeing Draper at the heart of the parade felt like a fitting tribute to a man whose influence has quietly and consistently shaped the community.
Positively Osceola CEO Lisa Ronan, speaking on behalf of the local news outlet that has covered the parade for years, echoed those sentiments, adding, “Charlie has spent decades lifting others up—both inside and outside the courtroom. His leadership, generosity, and compassion are part of what makes Osceola County such a special place. It was truly an honor to see him celebrated in this way.”
A Legacy of Service, Leadership, and Advocacy
As founder and managing partner of Draper Law Office, Charlie Draper has spent more than four decades representing injured clients with compassion, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to ethical advocacy. Since 1984, his practice has focused exclusively on personal injury and wrongful death cases—including car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle, pedestrian, and slip-and-fall accidents—as well as hotel and theme park injuries, drowning cases, and dog bites.
Before establishing his Kissimmee-based firm, Draper practiced personal injury law with Magavern & Magavern in Buffalo, New York. He is a proud member of both the Florida Academy of Trial Lawyers and the New York State Trial Lawyers Association, respected for his meticulous approach and steadfast client-first philosophy.
Draper earned his B.A. from Rollins College in 1970 and his J.D. from the State University of New York School of Law at Buffalo in 1973. Under his leadership, Draper Law Office has helped thousands of injured clients rebuild their lives, earning a longstanding reputation for empathy, consistency, and professionalism.
Building a Life—and a Legacy—in Osceola County
Charlie Draper built not only a career but a life in Osceola County alongside his beloved wife, the late Judge Carol E. Draper, a trailblazer who made history as the first woman ever elected to serve as a judge in Osceola County.
Judge Draper retired from the bench in 2018, concluding a remarkable 25-year judicial career. Throughout her tenure, she presided over a wide range of cases—from civil disputes to criminal matters—earning deep respect for her fairness, strength, and unwavering commitment to the law. From 2010 to 2015, she also served as Associate Administrative Judge in Osceola County, further cementing her legacy of leadership and service.
Together, Charlie and Carol Draper became pillars of the community—respected for their integrity, admired for their dedication, and cherished for the kindness they extended to countless families across Osceola County.
A Leader Known for Kindness—and High Standards
Draper’s staff often describe him as both a mentor and a friend, reflected in the firm’s long-term team members and exceptionally low turnover. His biggest professional pet peeve—attorneys who do not return phone calls—led him to establish a strict policy mandating prompt communication with clients. Treating every client the way he would treat his own family remains a foundational value at Draper Law Office.
Outside the office, Draper enjoys outdoor adventure and quiet family moments alike—golf, sport fishing, kayaking, whitewater rafting, and walks on the beach with the couple’s five rescue dogs. His warmth, humor, and generosity have made him not just a respected attorney, but a cherished figure in the community.
As the parade made its way through Downtown St. Cloud, the cheers that greeted Charlie Draper spoke volumes. Children waved enthusiastically, families called out his name, and the community celebrated a man whose impact extends far beyond his profession.
Honoring him as the 2025 Grand Marshal recognized not only his achievements—but the integrity, compassion, and enduring community spirit that have defined his life in Osceola County.
