Bradenton’s DeSoto Parade has New route in 2024 and Party Before the Parade

Bradenton’s DeSoto Parade has New route in 2024 and Party Before the Parade

The Hernando DeSoto Historical Society presents their annual DeSoto Grand Parade, this Saturday, April 27th, 2024. It is the 2nd largest parade in the Southeast USA.

Over 160 entries are set to participate in this years parade, which should have perfect weather.

This year’s parade features a new route and a daytime block party and street festival in downtown Bradenton.

Here are all the details

The Pre-Parade Party will start at 4 p.m. at the intersection of Manatee Avenue and Old Main Street. It will include live music and street vendors. For kids, there will be entertainment, bounce houses and games. Crowds can also watch parade floats, as they line up for the parade..

The parade will start a bit later this year — 7:30 p.m. and it will have a all new 1.75-mile route.. which will be reversed from the past. The parade will begin in downtown Bradenton on Manatee Avenue at Ninth Street West. It will then proceed westbound on Manatee Avenue, ending at 39th Street West. More than100,000 people are expected.

There will be some traffic closures.

At 1 p.m., westbound Manatee Avenue will close between First Street West and Ninth Street West and from Ninth Street West to 14th Street West for parade staging and the Pre-Parade Party.

Ninth Street West will remain open until 7 p.m., and westbound Manatee Avenue traffic will be re-routed. Eastbound Manatee Avenue traffic will not be affected during the day.

From 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., Manatee Avenue will close in both directions from First Street West to 43rd Street West.

Unlike previous years, the northbound lanes of the Green Bridge to Palmetto will remain open throughout the entire parade, and the southbound lanes will close about 45 minutes before parade time.

Third Avenue West and Ninth Avenue West will also remain open throughout the parade.

Roads are expected to reopen by 11 p.m.

In terms of Parking there are lots of options

Free, no-time-limit parking is available in the following places in downtown Bradenton on the weekend:

The City Centre Parking Facility on Third Avenue West between 10th and 12th Streets Judicial Center Parking Garage, 615 12th St.

West County Administration Building, 414 10th St.

West Post Office parking lot, located on Manatee Avenue between Eighth and Ninth Streets

Parade starts at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 27th, 2024.

Starting at Manatee Avenue and Ninth Street West and proceeding west along Manatee Avenue to 39th Street West.  

Get More Info at: www.deSotoHQ.com