The 2018 Gasparilla Children's Parade
TAMPA (FOX 13) - Gasparilla season starts with little pirates invading downtown Tampa this weekend.
Click here to watch the parade on fox13news.com
Click here to watch the parade on Facebook
The Children’s Gasparilla Extravaganza on Saturday and will cause some traffic disruptions for those attending or for drivers trying to get around the downtown streets. FOX 13 has everything you need to know for parking and the best options to get around.
The children’s parade starts at 3:30 p.m. It will broadcast live on FOX 13 and streamed live on the FOX 13 website starting at 4 p.m.
The family-friendly festivities start much earlier than that, though. Here is the schedule for Saturday’s events:
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bicycle & Pedestrian Safety Rodeo
Kids can ride the Rodeo's bicycles through a fun course that teaches safety skills. Kids will also receive a free, brand-new bicycle helmet fitted just for them, while supplies last. Location: Bayshore Boulevard and S Rome Avenue
1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. Gasparilla Preschooler’s Stroll
The preschooler's stroll features Tampa Bay's youngest pirates. Children age five and under get to strut their stuff along the parade route in this adorable new tradition. Location: Bayshore Boulevard and S Howard Avenue
2:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. Gasparilla Air Invasion and SOCOM Day Jump
The United States Special Operation Jump Team , The Para-Commandos, will conduct a precision parachute jump (weather-permitting). Location: Bayshore Boulevard & Desoto
3:30 p.m. – 6 p.m. Children’s Gasparilla Parade
Location: Parade begins at Bay to Bay and Bayshore, proceeds north along Bayshore, and the parade ends at Edison Avenue.
6:15 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Gasparilla Air Invasion and SOCOM Night Jump
The U.S. Special Operation Jump Team, The Para-Commandos, will conduct a precision parachute jump (weather-permitting). Location: Bayshore Blvd. & DeSota
7 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. "Piratechnic" Extravaganza fireworks show
The day is capped with a fireworks show themed as a re-creation of the imaginary sea battle between the pirates of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla and the City of Tampa. The pirates win every year, leaving the city defenseless for the Gasparilla Invasion and Parade of Pirates that will occur the following Saturday. Also airs on FOX 13.
Road Closures
Monday January 15, 2018 - Thursday, February 1, 2018
Close Bayshore Blvd. crossovers at DeSoto Ave., Nance Ave., Albany Ave. and Gunby Ave.
Saturday, January 20, 2018 @ 2:00 a.m.
Close Bayshore Blvd. Northbound from Bay-to-Bay Blvd. to Rome Ave.
Saturday, January 20, 2018 @ 6:30 a.m.
Close Bayshore Blvd from Gandy Blvd to Platt St/Channelside Dr
Close Bay to Bay Blvd from Ysabella Ave to Bayshore Blvd
Close Davis Island Bridge Off-Ramp onto Northbound Bayshore Blvd
Saturday, January 20, 2018 @ 9:00 a.m.
Close One Eastbound Lane and one Westbound Lane on Bay to Bay Blvd from MacDill Ave to Ysabella Ave (to accommodate Pedestrian Walkway)
Saturday, January 20, 2018 @ 4:30 p.m.
Close Eastbound Bay-to-Bay Blvd at MacDill Ave
Parking
Beginning Friday, “No Parking” signs will be installed in the neighborhoods west of Bayshore Boulevard and it will remain in effect through Saturday. Only motorists with an ID verifying residency will be allowed to enter the Bayshore Gardens and Hyde Park Preservation neighborhood after the streets have been closed.
Vehicles parked on the streets in those neighborhoods will be cited and towed at the owner’s expense.
Shuttle
Shuttle service will be offered on Sunday from the Fort Brook Garage, located at the corner of Franklin and Whiting streets. It will cost $10 per adult to ride, but it’s free for children who are accompanied by an adult. The shuttle drop-off will be at Bayshore near the beginning of the parade route at Bay to Bay Boulevard and the Crosstown.
For additional details on the Children’s Gasparilla Parade events, visit the official website.