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Gasparilla Children's Parade route to close roads today

 
Parade spectators reach out to catch flying beads along Tampa's Bayshore Boulevard during the annual Gasparilla Children's Parade. [Times (2014)]
Parade spectators reach out to catch flying beads along Tampa's Bayshore Boulevard during the annual Gasparilla Children's Parade. [Times (2014)]
Published Jan. 24, 2015

TAMPA — Gasparilla opens with a G-rated celebration today as the kids take to the streets in the Gasparilla Children's Parade.

The festivities begin at 11 a.m. with a bicycle safety rodeo on Bayshore Boulevard between Rome Avenue and Dakota Street, followed by a preschoolers stroll at 1:30 p.m. along Bayshore from Howard Avenue and Rome.

The Children's Parade kicks off at 3:30 p.m. on Bayshore at Bay to Bay Boulevard and proceeds north to Edison Avenue.

The evening will end with a bang with a 7 p.m. fireworks show.

Traffic is expected to be heavy due to road closures. The city installed "No Parking" signs in the neighborhoods along the parade route and will be towing delinquent vehicles. The restricted parking will be in effect through today.

Paradegoers can park in downtown garages and take a shuttle to the parade site. The Fort Brooke Garage, at 107 N Franklin St., will open at 8 a.m. at a flat rate of $5 per vehicle, paid on entry.

Shuttle service from the Fort Brooke Garage, on the corner of Franklin and Whiting Street, will operate from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. today. The shuttle cost is $5 per adult, and children accompanied by an adult ride for free. The shuttle will deliver to Bayshore near the beginning of the parade route at Bay to Bay Boulevard and the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway.