Gasparilla Children's Parade: What You Need to Know

Tampa Bay’s littlest pirates get the honors of kicking off Gasparilla season when the annual Children’s Parade takes over portions of South Tampa on Saturday.

With large crowds always expected, however, it’s a good idea to head out to the event early and prepared. Here’s what parade goers need to know about Saturday’s festivities, according to the city of Tampa:

The Events

The following events are on tap for Saturday’s Children’s day:

• The fun starts at 11 a.m. with a bicycle safety rodeo on Bayshore Boulevard between Rome Avenue and Dakota Street.
• The Preschoolers Stroll takes place at 1:30 p.m. and runs from Howard Avenue to Rome Avenue.
• The parade itself kicks off at 3:30 p.m. at Bay to Bay Boulevard and Bayshore Boulevard.
• Fireworks kick off at 7 p.m.

The Parade Route

This year’s children’s parade starts at Bay to Bay Boulevard and Bayshore Boulevard. It will head north on Bayshore and end at Edison Avenue and Bayshore Boulevard.

Little pirates who can’t make it out can watch the fun live on Fox 13 and online streaming courtesy of MyFoxTampaBay.com.

Parking and Shuttle Service

Motorists are warned that traffic will be especially heavy for a Saturday, which means drivers and pedestrians alike should exercise caution.

The city recommends these parking options:

The Fort Brooke Garage, 107 N. Franklin St., opens at 8 a.m. and offers a flat rate of $5 for all-day parking. The price, however, does not include shuttle services. Other parking will be available in downtown and nearby, but motorists should pay attention for “No Parking” signs while avoiding private properties, as well.

Those who wish to take advantage of the continuous shuttle service will find the pickup site on the corner of Franklin and Whiting streets. Shuttle runs begin at 10 a.m. and end at 8 p.m. The cost is $5 per adult, but children with an adult ride for free. The shuttle will drop off along Bayshore Boulevard near the beginning of the parade route.

To check out all of the children’s parade events and activities, visit gasparillaextravaganza.com.

See Also:

Gasparilla Children’s Parade: Road Closings

Photo from the City of Tampa Facebook page