Gasparilla Children’s Parade: Organizers kicking off Tampa’s pirate invasion this weekend
TAMPA, Fla. - Gasparilla season is ready to kick off this weekend, with the Gasparilla Children's Parade, which organizers said on Friday will be bigger and better than ever.
What can attendees expect?
What we know:
Events begin at noon on Saturday, with the Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Rodeo, hosted by the Tampa Police Department along Bayshore Boulevard, between Rome Avenue and Dakota Avenue. It'll be followed by the Gasparilla Air Invasion and Preschooler's Stroll at 2 p.m.
The parade, which organizers said is the largest children's parade in the country, is scheduled from 4-6:15 p.m. and will be followed by a nighttime air invasion and fireworks show.
Children’s Gasparilla 2025: Here’s what to know
"It's the largest children's parade in the country with over 11,000 participants. We're going to have over 100,000 people out there on Bayshore. Not many places in the country can say that," said Dillon Stefany, Vice President of EventFest. "It's a great event each year, but we look at it every year and say, how can we make it bigger? How can we make it better, improve on the little things, add different activities to keep everybody engaged throughout the day?"

Bayshore Boulevard will be closed beginning at 8 p.m. on Friday and won't reopen until after the parade. Road closures will extend far beyond the parade route which, as is the case in recent years, is along Bayshore, between Bay to Bay Boulevard and Edison Avenue.
What you can do:
Stefany said parade-goers are urged to park in public garages and parking lots. A free trolley will be available throughout the day and will pick up people and drop them off near the intersection of Bayshore and Platt Street.
Tampa police, meanwhile, realize some people may have safety concerns following the New Year's terrorist attack in New Orleans. Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw said this year's safety plan is more extensive than in previous years.
"I think some of the big differences that you'll see is we always have a robust barrier plan, but we're adding on top of that and even making it more robust. And then you'll see more drones out there, police drones," Bercaw said. "We need everybody's eyes and ears, no matter how many police officers are out there. If you see something, say something."
Organizers are reminding parade-goers the children's parade is alcohol-free. Golf carts and other motorized transportation are not allowed along the parade route.
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