Clearwater Celebrates 100 Years with Parade, Block Party

Clearwater is turning 100 and it’s pulling out all the stops to celebrate the milestone.

Upcoming this Saturday, May 30, is a parade and block party set to begin at the intersection of Highland Avenue and Drew Street at 6:30 p.m.

With more than 100 participants, including marching bands, pirate krewes and civic groups, the parade will travel west down Drew until it ends at Coachman Park. There the celebration will continue with a community block party and fireworks.

The parade itself will be headed up by grand marshal Cozi Zuehlsdorff from “Dolphin Tale” and “Dolphin Tale 2.” In addition, the Tampa Bay Rays, Buccaneers, Clearwater Threshers and other notable celebrities plan to take part, the city wrote in an email to media. The best viewing locations for the parade include the “Bright House Block” at the intersection of Myrtle Avenue and Drew, Drew and Missouri Avenue and near the Clearwater Country Club.

In light of the festivities, Drew between Highland Avenue and Coachman Park will close down from about 4 to 9 p.m. Highland Avenue between Drew and Gulf to Bay will also close during that time.

The block party will feature food trucks, a meet-and-greet with Zuehlsdorff, a mascot meet-and-greet, a touch tank courtesy of the Clearwater Marine Aquarium and more.

The city’s official birthday is May 27. A recognition of the milestone is also planned at Bright House Field Wednesday during the Treshers Baseball game, which will culminate with fireworks. The first 1,500 guests will receive a commemorative baseball, according to the city’s Facebook page.

To find out more, visit myclearwater.com/100.

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