Bradenton preps for ‘biggest ever’ 2023 De Soto Grand Parade. Here’s what to know
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The De Soto Grand Parade, one of Bradenton’s oldest traditions, returns Saturday, April 29.
The procession brings colorful floats and costumes, flying beads and live music to Manatee Avenue and downtown Bradenton.
The family-friendly parade is the culmination of the De Soto Heritage Festival, an annual series of charity events organized by the nonprofit Hernando de Soto Historical Society.
This year’s parade will be the biggest ever, with over 180 entries participating, said Shannon Glasgow, chairman of the Conquistador Historical Foundation.
“From floats to schools to bands to local businesses and civic groups. We’re pretty psyched about that,” Glasgow said.
Parade krewes will come from as far as Minnesota, Georgia, the Florida Panhandle and Tampa to take part.
The foundation is the charity arm of the Hernando de Soto Historical Society. With the money raised by the society’s annual events, the foundation supports local charities, educational programs and scholarships, plus a student exchange program with Bradenton’s sister city — Barcarrota, Spain.
The 2023 parade will also be live-streamed and televised so it can be enjoyed by spectators near and far, Glasgow said.
Here’s what to know before you head to the parade:
By the numbers
100,000-200,000 people are estimated to attend the parade each year.
The parade covers a roughly 2.5-mile stretch in about three hours.
More than 180 parade entries will make their way down the streets, including illuminated floats and marching bands.
The parade is estimated to be the second biggest held annually in Florida, after Tampa’s Gasparilla Parade of Pirates.
The parade is led by a different guest grand marshal each year. This year, alumni of Lincoln Memorial High School, the only Black high school in Manatee County prior to desegregation, have been invited to lead the parade.
Know the route
The parade begins at Manatee High School (corner of Ninth Avenue West and 30th Street West), travels west on Ninth Avenue West, north on 39th Street West and then east on Manatee Avenue West, ending at Ninth Street West in downtown Bradenton.
Start time is 7 p.m.; the parade typically lasts for about three hours.
Parking and road closures
Crowds show up early on parade day. Plan your parking and arrive with some time to spare if you want to stake out a prime parade-watching spot.
Parking Options:
Public parking is available at multiple lots and garages in downtown Bradenton.
Traffic closures:
Manatee Avenue West will be closed from First Street West through 43rd Street West starting at approximately 5 p.m. April 29, Bradenton Police Department said.
All north and southbound lanes of the Green Bridge will also be closed during this time.
The roads and bridge will open after all pedestrian traffic is clear and the streets have been cleaned.
Save yourself a seat, or watch at home
In an old Bradenton tradition, lawn chairs are placed along the parade route days in advance of the event. There is a general code of honor in Bradenton which holds that chairs set out ahead of parade day shall not be tampered with.
On the other hand, some locals playfully refer to the day before the parade as “free chair Friday.”
For the first time, the parade will be livestreamed on social media and YouTube, as well as on MOR-TV. The feed will include interviews with parade participants and drone shots.
The broadcast will begin at 7:15 p.m. Here’s where to watch:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HernandoDeSoto/
MOR-TV:https://mor-tv.com
Weather: What happens if it rains?
The 2022 De Soto Grand Parade was canceled due to stormy weather. Due to the logistics involved in planning the parade, Glasgow said it’s too difficult to reschedule if the weather is bad.
“Unfortunately you’ve got one shot at it,” Glasgow said. “It was a tough decision last year, but I think we made the right call for everyone’s safety.”
But the parade’s weather record is good — Glasgow says it has only been rained out a few times in its decades-long history.
As of April 19, weather for parade night is predicted to be cloudy and humid with temperatures in the upper 70s, according to Weather Underground.
The sun will set at 8:02 p.m.
Beads please!
The De Soto Grand paraders throw a whole lot of beads, coins and other fun items (sorry kids, no candy).
A Krewe member can throw two to three boxes of beads during the course of the parade, Glasgow said.
Bring a trusty bag to collect your haul, and consider donating unwanted beads back to an school or organization that participates in parades to keep them out of the landfill.
Details: 7 p.m. Saturday, April 29, starting at Manatee High School, 902 33rd St. Court W., Bradenton. Free.
Info: desotohq.com
