De Soto Grand Parade returns to Bradenton this weekend. What to know before you go

UPDATE: The parade is canceled because of stormy weather, the Hernando De Soto Historical Society posted on Facebook at 3:12 p.m. Saturday. Read more here.

The De Soto Grand Parade, one of Bradenton’s longest running traditions, returns this Saturday.

Beads, colorful floats, costumes and live music will fill Manatee Avenue and downtown Bradenton with festivity.

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.

Here’s what to know before you go:

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 150 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.
• There is typically one grand marshal for the parade; this year, parade organizers have invited the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to lead the way.

Know the route

The parade begins at Manatee High School, 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

Plan your parking spot and arrive a bit early if you want to stake out a prime spot to watch the procession.

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 to 39th Street West starting at 5:30 p.m.

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

In an old Bradenton tradition, lawn chairs begin to pop up along the edge of 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.”

Weather predictions

Parade night should be warmly pleasant with temperatures on Saturday evening hovering in the mid to upper 70s, according to the National Weather Service.

A 30% chance of rain on Saturday afternoon is predicted to taper off just before the event.

The sun will set at 8:04 p.m.

Beads please!

The De Soto Grand paraders throw a whole lot of beads, coins and other fun items (sorry kids, no candy).

If you have no need for your beads after the big day, don’t send them to the landfill. The beads can be donated back to De Soto Historical Society, and some local schools that participate in the De Soto Children’s Parade also accept bead donations throughout the year.

• Details: 7 p.m. Saturday, starting at Manatee High School, 902 33rd St. Court W., Bradenton. Free.
• Info: 941-747-1998. desotohq.com.

This story was originally published April 28, 2022 at 5:50 AM.