2017 Children’s Gasparilla Parade, Events: What To Know Before You Go

TAMPA, FL – In a little more than a week, pirates will flood the waterways and streets of Tampa to once again celebrate Gasparilla Pirate Fest. But first, buccaneers of all ages will take over the town.

The 2017 Children’s Gasparilla Extravaganza will hit the streets Saturday, Jan. 21, highlighted by the 2017 Children’s Gasparilla Parade. The daylong event will feature everything from a bicycle rodeo to the exciting pirate invasion.

Here’s what area residents need to know before you go to the 2017 Children’s Gasparilla Extravaganza:

Date and Time

The 2017 Children’s Gasparilla Parade is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 21 from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Location

Children’s activities and vendors will be open along Bayshore Boulevard from Bay-to-Bay Boulevard to Edison Avenue starting at 11 a.m. The 2017 Children’s Gasparilla Parade will go along the same route.

Admission

Admission is free to the Children’s Gasparilla Extravaganza. Reserved seating tickets are still available online at http://gasparillatreasures.com/. Advance pricing ends at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 20.

Parking

Ample parking is available in downtown Tampa, with a shuttle service running from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The service will run continuously from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. from the Fort Brook Garage at the corner of Franklin and Whiting streets to the beginning of the parade route. The service is $5 for adults and children are free with an accompanying adult.

Limited parking is available in the areas surrounding Bayshore Boulevard. No Parking signs will be erected in most of the neighborhoods in the vicinity. ADA parking for people with disabilities is located at the corner of Howard Avenue and Palm Drive. ADA parade viewing is located across Bayshore Boulevard at Howard Avenue.

Click here for more information about parking and road closures.

Television and Streaming

For people who can’t make it to the big event, the Children’s Gasparilla Parade will be broadcast live on FOX 13 in the Tampa market. To watch the parade from outside the Tampa market, Fox 13 will stream the parade live at http://www.fox13news.com/.

2017 Children’s Gasparilla Extravaganza Schedule

The following events will take place as part of the 2017 Children’s Gasparilla Extravaganza:

11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Rodeo

Located along Bayshore Boulevard between Rome and Dakota avenues, the Bicycle Rodeo is free to anyone interested in learning how to ride a bike safely with traffic. Participants can use one of the Rodeo’s bikes to ride through a fun course that teaches safety skills. Children will be fitted with a free, brand new bicycle helmet they can keep, while supplies last.

The event is presented by the Tampa Police Department, onbikes, FDOT Tampa and EventFest Inc.

1:30 to 2:45 p.m.: Gasparilla Preschooler’s Stroll

The Gasparilla Preschooler’s Stroll will feature the Bay area’s youngest pirates. Children 5 and younger can siege the day along Bayshore Boulevard from Howard Avenue to Rome Avenue. The event feature tykes in their pirate gear in specially decorated wagons, bicycles and strollers.

2:45 to 3:15 p.m.: Gasparilla Air Invasion and SOCOM Day Jump

Tampa’s sky pirates will perform over the skies of Hillsborough Bay during the Gasparilla Air Invasion. The event will also feature a precision parachute jump from The Para-Commandos, the United States Special Operation Jump Team.

3:30 to 6 p.m.: 2017 Children’s Gasparilla Parade

The Children’s Gasparilla Parade has been a part of Tampa’s Gasparilla celebration since 1947, and uses part of the same route as the Gasparilla Parade of Pirates. The parade route begins at Bay to Bay Boulevard and Bayashore Boulevard. It will proceed north along Bayshore and end at Edison Avenue.

Approximately 100 units, including krewes, marching bands, dance units, school organizations, community organizations and neighborhood associations. Just like the adult parade, spectators can expect to collect beads from the passing parade.

Unlike the adult parade, there is no alcohol permitted inside the Children’s Gasparilla Extravaganza.

6:15 to 6:30 p.m.: Gasparilla Air Invasion and SOCOM Night Jump

This is a repeat performance of the Gasparilla Air Invasion and precision parachute jump by The Para-Commandos.

‘Piratechnic’ Extravaganza

The 2017 Children’s Gasparilla events ends with the “Piratechnic” Extravaganza over Hillsborough Bay, featuring a fireworks display with a specially choreographed presentation of the imaginary battle between the City of Tampa and Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla.

The battle and fireworks display can be seen anywhere along Bayshore Boulevard. However, because of the coordinated music played over concert-quality speakers, the best viewing experience is near Show Center at the corner of Howard and Bayshore.

For more information, visit http://gasparillapiratefest.co....

Image via the City of Tampa Facebook Page