DeSoto Grand Parade: What You Need To Know

Everyone loves a parade, and the people of Bradenton are no different.

They're geared up for the 72nd annual DeSoto Heritage Festival Grand Parade, which takes to the streets on Saturday evening. Planning on checking out the action? Here's what you need to know:

The hosts: The Hernando De Soto Historical Society is a nonprofit community organization of more than 200 "Conquistadors" who celebrate the historical significance of Spanish explorer Hernando De Soto’s landing near the mouth of the Manatee River in May 1539. The society's Heritage Festival includes a number of popular community events throughout the spring, including the , and and culminating with the Grand Parade.

The kickoff: The U.S. Special Operations Command Parachute Demonstration Team, known as the Para-Commandos, are scheduled to perform a free fall parachute demonstration at 6:10 p.m. Saturday at's Hawkins Stadium to signal the start of the parade. The team will also be the honorary Grand Marshals.

The route: The parade will leave Manatee High around 6:30 and travel west on Ninth Avenue West, north along 39th Street West to Manatee Avenue West, then east toward downtown and Ninth Street West. View the attached PDF for a map of the parade route.

The construction: Pedestrians will not be permitted to view the parade from the north side of Manatee Avenue between 9th and 15th streets west because of an ongoing state construction project. This six-block stretch, including the sidewalk, will be closed by police.

The road closures: The following streets will be closed off at 5:30 p.m. in preparation for the parade:

• Manatee Avenue West will be closed from First Street West to 43^rd Street West.
• Sixth Avenue West will be closed from First Street West to 15^th Street West.
• The 3000-3300 blocks of Ninth Avenue West will be closed.

The access/exit points: Drivers needing to travel north or south across Manatee Avenue West to exit or enter the downtown area during the parade may do so at the listed locations:

• Seventh Street West at Manatee Avenue West.
• Third Avenue West at Ninth Street West (via Third Avenue West) — the northbound lanes of the Green Bridge.

The participants: There will be more than 150 entrants this year, including illuminated floats, marching bands from local schools, fire trucks and more.

The DeSoto 5K: The parade will be preceded by the DeSoto 5K run down the middle of Manatee Avenue along the parade route. Registration lasts from 4:30-6 p.m. at the school board building and costs $30 on the day of the race. A shuttle will take participants to Manatee High for the 6:30 p.m. start.

The after party: There will be live music from Big Daddy, food and an open bar at this post-parade celebration at the . Tickets cost $30 in advance at the Historical Society's office, 910 3rd Ave. W., and $35 at the door.

The litter bags: The Bradenton Public Works & Utilities Department, Keep Manatee Beautiful and Wildlife Rescue of Florida will continue their partnership this year to keep the parade a litter-free event by distributing litter bags for spectators to use to collect their trash. People can take the bags home for disposal or simply leave them curbside after the parade for collection by Public Works.