Hernando De Soto Historical Society Grand Parade

The Hernando De Soto Historical Society Presents the De Soto Heritage Festival’s Grand Parade Grand Marshal’s U.S. Special Operations Command Parachute Demonstration Team

Saturday, April 30, 2011

The U.S. Special Operations Command Parachute Demonstration Team, known as the Para-Commandos, are scheduled to perform a free fall parachute demonstration at 6:10pm on April 30^th at Manatee High School Hawkins’ Stadium. This performance will signal the start of the annual Hernando De Soto Historical Society Grand Parade in Bradenton, FL and the team will be the Society’s honored Grand Marshal’s!   

The team is comprised of active duty military or Department of Defense civilians assigned to U.S. Special Operations Command at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, FL.  Most are combat veterans with Special Operations background.  Many served with the US Army Special Forces, commonly known as the elite Green Berets, while others served with US Army Rangers, the world's premier light infantry fighting force.  The US Air Force is well represented with specialized combat controllers, para-rescue men and combat air crewmen.  The US Navy is represented with US Navy SEALs and Special Warfare Combat Crewmen, and the US Marine Corps is represented by Special Operations Marines. On any given day, more than 12,000 Special Operations Forces are deployed to over 70 countries worldwide.

The Grand Parade ranks among the most dazzling and exciting illuminated night parades with more than 180 entries and is not to be missed. This year’s theme is “the stars are outs the parade is now, come on Bradenton let’s be proud”. Followed by the After Parade Party at the Bradenton Auditorium with live music by “Big Daddy” open bar and good food.  The After Party is open to the public; tickets can be purchased at the door.