ST. PETERSBURG – The 88th annual Festival of States Day Parade is Saturday, April 18, at 10 a.m.
Raymond of the Championship Tampa Bay Rays will serve as Grand Marshall and lead more than 60 units including floats, Krewes, motorcycle drill teams, clown groups and marching bands.
The 750-member Awesome Original Second Time Arounders Marching Band, the official band of the Festival of States, will be the lead band in the parade with an exceptional performance expected after returning from an appearance in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade this fall.
Other bands will include the Largo High School Band of Gold; the Lakewood High School Soul of the South Marching Band; the Eastside Elementary Eagles Marching Band from Haines City; the North Marion Middle School Marching Band from Citra; and the Sun Devils Drum and Bugle Corps from Sarasota.
The parade begins at Central Avenue and Fifth Street, heads east to Bayshore Drive and then north on Bayshore Drive to the end at Fifth Avenue North, in front of the Vinoy.
Immediately after the parade, the Second Time Arounders perform at the band shell in North Straub Park.
The Baywalk and South Core garages will be open for public parking. Handicap parking is available on Beach Drive from Second Avenue to Third Avenue North and also on Beach Drive along South Straub Park.
Free bleacher seating will be available on a first come basis located on Bayshore Drive just north of the St. Pete Yacht Club. Handicap viewing is on Bayshore and Second Avenue, west side of the park near the Museum of Fine Arts.
