Children's Gasparilla Parade 2016: What You Need To Know

TAMPA, FL — Little pirates and their parents need to know a few things before they head out to Saturday’s Children’s Gasparilla Children’s Parade.

The annual event has been a part of the city’s Gasparilla celebration since 1947. Featuring more than 100 units, including marching bands, krewes and floats, the event draws thousands of spectators each year for a family friendly, alcohol-free, bead-tossing, candy-throwing good time.

Here are just a few things folks need to know before they go to the Jan. 23 parade:

Parade Times

The parade is set to begin at 3:30 p.m. and should end around 6 p.m.

The Route

The parade steps off at Bay to Bay Boulevard and Bayshore Boulevard and heads north along Bayshore. It continues down Bayshore to a planned end on Edison Avenue.

Seating and Viewing

Seating is available along the parade route on a first-come, first-served basis. Reserved bleacher seats are also available. Prices for those tickets are $35 in advance or $45 at the time of the parade, if any seating is left. Find out more about tickets online.

Cost to Attend

The Children’s Gasparilla Parade is free to attend. Families may want to bring along cash for food, drinks and any other purchases from vendors.

Road Closings

• Bayshore Boulevard northbound from Bay to Bay to Rome closes at 2 a.m. Saturday
• Bayshore Boulevard from Gandy Boulevard to Platt Street/Channelside closes at 6:30 a.m. Saturday
• Bay to Bay Boulevard from Ysabella Avenue to Bayshore Boulevard closes at 6:30 a.m. Saturday
• Davis Islands Bridge off rap onto northbound Bayshore closes at 6:30 a.m. Saturday
• One eastbound and one westbound lane on Bay to Bay from MacDill Avenue to Ysabella Avenue will close at 9 a.m. Saturday
• Eastbound Bay to Bay at MacDill Avenue closes at 4:30 p.m. Saturday

Parking

The City’s Fort Brook Garage on the corner of Franklin and Whiting streets will be open, along with other downtown and nearby parking venues. The Fort Brook garage will operate a continuous shuttle from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The cost for shuttle service is $5 for adults with children free if accompanied by an adult. The shuttle will deliver people to Bayshore Boulevard near the parade route’s starting point.

To learn more about Children’s Gasparilla Parade events, visit the celebration’s website.

Photo courtesy of the City of Tampa’s Facebook page