DeSoto Children's Parade Out Of This World

The annual Children’s Parade held Friday along 10th Street West in Palmetto was as exciting and fun as usual, but a little out of this world this year.

The theme for the DeSoto Heritage Festival event this year was "Space Through the Eyes of a Child," and the students of several Manatee County elementary schools and other children's organizations went all out to show that theme in their elaborate floats.

The winner of the Best of Theme award was Stewart Elementary School with its representation of a space shuttle blasting off into orbiting planets.

“It was nicely done and reflected the theme in a meaningful manner,” said one of the judges, Peter VanDerNoord, who owns Riverhouse Reef & Grill, the sponsor of the Best of Theme award.

The school received a plaque and $1,000. There were six other awards of $500.

To the crowd of more than 700, mostly children, who lined 10th Street West from Sutton Park to 16th Avenue, all of the floats, drum corps, marchers, fire engines and dignitaries were winners.

Kicking off the parade was the zany Shriners driving their miniature cars in a madcap manner down the street.

“I like parades,” said 4-year-old Lee Lyday, who sat on the curb with her 3-year-old brother, Austin, waiting to catch a colorful beaded necklace or some penny candy the parade participants were tossing.

This was the first time Lee attended the Children’s Parade, which has been held for more than 40 years in Palmetto. Her mother, Tammy Lyday, brought Lee and Austin because she “thought the kids would like it.”

Tammy Lyday’s mother, Judy Lynch, also was watching the parade go by while reminiscing about parades in years past.

“I’ve always brought my kids to watch the parade,” Lynch said. “My daughter even was in the parade a couple of times.”

Lavette Taylor, who brought her son, Coron, 8, and her grandson, Sherrod Lamb, 4, also remembers coming to the parade as a little girl.

“I try to bring the children every year,” Taylor said.

As each float reached the grandstand at Sutton, the participants stopped to perform for the judges.

Then they were dismissed to enjoy the fun and games at the Party in the Park.

“It was an excellent turnout with a lot of participation,” said Tony Noble, co-chair of the event with Joe Fenton. “They really stepped it up with the float designs, and the prizes were bigger this year.”

Noble said the Hernando de Soto Historical Society, organizers of the month-long DeSoto Heritage Festival, wants to get more schools and organizations involved in the Children’s Parade.

Bringing up the rear of parade was this year’s Hernando de Soto, Curt Mahoney, and his Crewe of Conquistadors riding the San Cristobal.

Festival fun for the children continues with the at 9 a.m. Saturday at off 59th Street West in Bradenton.

Open to children 8 and younger, 36,000 candy-filled eggs will be hidden in the grass, with a special Golden Egg waiting to be found.

There also will be the Bunny Trail Carnival of games and entertainment after the Easter egg hunt.

For more information about the DeSoto Heritage Festival, visit its website, www.desotohq.com.