Gasparilla Children's Parade: Here's What You Need To Know

Tampa FL

22 January, 2022

12:08 AM

Description

TAMPA, FL — Get ready for the cutest band of buccaneers to ever walk the plank. Tampa's annual Gasparilla festivities get underway this weekend with the always-popular Ashley Children's Gasparilla Parade presented by Chick-fil-A Saturday, Jan. 22, from 3:30 to 6 p.m. A Tampa tradition since 1957, the 1.5-mile children's parade begins at Bayshore Boulevard and West Bay to Bay Boulevard and features parade floats, krewes, marching bands, dance units, school organizations, community groups and neighborhood associations parading down scenic Bayshore Boulevard to Edison Avenue. EventFestPrior to the start of the parade, there will be a Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Rodeo from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Bayshore Boulevard and South Rome Avenue, between Rome and Dakota avenues. The rodeo is free to anyone interested in learning how to bicycle safely with traffic. Volunteers will fit children in attendance with a new, free bicycle helmet that they can keep (while supplies last). Kids can then use one of the rodeo's bicycles to ride through a fun course that teaches skills that could one day save their lives. On tap following the rodeo from noon to 3:15 p.m. is the Gasparilla Air Invasion and Day Jump at Bayshore Boulevard and South DeSoto Avenue. Taking place simultaneously from 1 to 2 p.m. is the Gasparilla Preschooler's Stroll at Bayshore Boulevard and Howard Avenue. EventFestPint-sized pirates (age 5 and under) can stroll along Bayshore from Howard Avenue to Rome Avenue in their finest pirate regalia with their wagons, bicycles and strollers decked out with Gasparilla decorations. To maintain a family-friendly atmosphere, the Children's Gasparilla Parade is an alcohol-free event. The parade is free to attend but reserved bleacher seating is available starting at $55. For reservations, visit GasparillaTreasures.com or call EventFest's Gasparilla ticket line at 813-251-8844, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EventFestThe parade will be followed by the reimagined Children's Gasparilla "Piratechnic" Finale from 6 to 7 p.m. First, the Jose Gasparilla pirate ship will arrive ablaze with cannons and lights. From 6:15 to 6:30 p.m., the Gasparilla Air Invasion and Night Jump at Bayshore Boulevard and Howard Avenue with aerobatic skywriters, formation flights and a precision parachute jump performed by The Chuters, landing at DeSoto and Bayshore (one block north of Howard and Bayshore). EventFestStunt planes will perform a fireworks flight. Stunt planes will perform a fireworks flight. Then, on command, the captain of Ye MysticKrewe of Gasparilla, organizer of the Gasparilla festivities, will order a sequence of firework shells featuring a display aimed to impress. This week, Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla Capt. Pete Lackman joined Mayor Jane Castor, Interim Tampa Police Chief Ruben Delgado and other law enforcement, community and business partners to talk about safety at Gasparilla. Here are seven quick safety tips: No underage drinking. See something, say something. No beads in the bay. Take a picture of your child beforehand. Put your contact information in your child's pocket. Have a designated meeting point if you get separated from your friends.If you feel sick or are experiencing any symptoms, please stay home.Traffic is expected to be heavy Saturday around Bayshore Boulevard and other roads in downtown Tampa. Barricades and signs will be in the area to assist with traffic flow. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor advises attendees to allow extra travel time, consider taking the free Jolley Roger Trolley, drive with caution and be on the lookout for excited kids who might dash into traffic. Road/Lane Closure Schedule: 12:01 a.m. Bayshore Boulevard between West Gandy Boulevard and West Platt StreetWest Bay to Bay Boulevard between South Ysabella Avenue and Bayshore BoulevardDavis Islands Bridge off-ramp onto Bayshore Boulevard 9 a.m. Outside lanes on West Bay to Bay Boulevard between South MacDill Avenue and South Ysabella Avenue 3 p.m. Eastbound lanes on West Bay to Bay Boulevard to South Ysabella Avenue A return to normal traffic patterns is expected by midnight. For parking options during the festivities, click here.For Americans With Disabilities parking and viewing, click here.For a list of street closures, click here.For a map of the parade route, click here.For detour route maps to Memorial Hospital and Tampa General Hospital, click here. See related stories: Tampa Mayor's Dog Turns Traitor; Leads Pirates To Keys To CityBuccaneers Named Grand Marshal Of Gasparilla Parade Of PiratesReady To Party Hearty, Mateys? Officials Prepare For Gasparilla