Parade Time: De Soto Heritage Festival Week Arrives
By Lisa Neff
Call for beads!
Collect the coins!
Cheer for the San Cristobal and the Crewe of De Soto!
The hour approaches for the De Soto Grand Parade.
For 85 years, the Hernando de Soto Historical Society has presented what’s now one of the largest parades in the state — the De Soto Grand Parade, which rolls onto Manatee Avenue West at 6:30 p.m. April 26.
The parade is the culmination of the De Soto Heritage Festival, a celebration of history, heritage and heart that also features the Queen’s Selection Program, an evening of music and entertainment, at 7:30 p.m. April 23 at the Bradenton Area Convention Center in Palmetto; and the De Soto Ball April 25, a black-tie evening with pomp and circumstance also at the convention center.
The parade on April 26 runs about 6:30-9 p.m., but festivities get going earlier, with a block party beginning about 1:30 p.m. on Old Main Street in Bradenton.
Bringing out locals and drawing tourists to events, the festival pumps more than $3 million into the local economy, according to Todd Hubbard, Hernando de Soto Historical Society general chairman.
The Dose checked in April 17 with Hubbard, who was preparing for the children’s parade in Palmetto the next day, to ask about the festival and the grand parade at its conclusion.
The Dose: The grand parade is April 26. Do you participate in the parade or are you busy staging the parade?
Todd Hubbard: Saturday will be a busy day! In addition to preparing for the parade, we will also be hosting a pre-parade party in downtown Bradenton along Old Main Street, creating a lively, family-friendly atmosphere. With a 5K race, live music, street vendors and a kids’ zone, there’s plenty to enjoy before the Grand Parade begins.
Visitors can stay downtown to watch the parade step off at 6:30 p.m., making it the perfect spot to experience all the excitement.
My wife, Lora, and I are also hosting dignitaries from Bradenton’s sister city in Barcarrota, Spain — Hernando DeSoto’s hometown — so we need to ensure they get to the parade, are introduced onstage and have a wonderful time.
This sister city relationship was started back in the 1960s and has been ongoing ever since. Barcarrota’s mayor will also be in town for the festival.
The Dose: How many grand parades have you been involved in?
TH: As a proud member of the Hernando de Soto Historical Society since 2002, this will be the 23rd parade with which I have been involved.
I’ve lived in Bradenton my entire life, so I’ve been attending the parade since the 1970s.
The Dose: Is the route different from years past?
TH: Traditionally, the parade always began at Manatee High School, proceeding eastbound down Manatee Ave. and ending in downtown Bradenton.
Last year we made the historic decision to reverse the route, with the parade beginning downtown and heading westbound down Manatee Ave., ending at 39th Street West. By Shake Pit and St. Stephen’s Episcopal School.
This change has allowed us to host the pre-parade party downtown, providing a family-friendly entertainment experience for the residents of Bradenton while showcasing the restaurants and other businesses that comprise the heart of downtown Bradenton.
The Dose: What makes the grand parade special?
TH: With over 150 entries, the De Soto Grand Parade is one of the largest and oldest parades in the Southeastern United States.
Over 100,000 people line the streets of Bradenton to view the illuminated floats and catch a glimpse of our new Hernando de Soto, captain of the Crewe and their newly crowned queen and princess.
Beads, coins, and other fun items are handed to the crowd throughout the night.
The Dose: What makes the grand parade unique to Bradenton?
TH: The society was founded in 1939 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Hernando de Soto’s landing in the New World in this area in 1539. The Grand Parade celebrates our historic ties to this important figure in American history and celebrates our relationship with De Soto’s hometown of Barcarrota, Spain.
The Dose: Any special guests or activities we should look for this year?
TH: The entertainment downtown begins at 1:30 p.m., shortly before the Bradenton Public Market ends. The DJ and live music continues until 5:30 p.m., then be sure to check out Queen B from 106.5 the Beat onstage.
We will also be introducing Bradenton’s mayor, Gene Brown; our Spanish dignitaries from Barcarrota; as well as the new Royal Family, consisting of Hernando DeSoto, his captain and the queen and princess for 2025-26.
The Dose: Storm recovery hero Darcie Duncan is the grand marshal. How does the society choose the parade marshal?
TH: The grand marshal is typically selected based on his or her impact and influence in the local community, the state of Florida and/or the entire nation.
The Dose: Which brings us to the last question, about the presenting organization. How do people become involved in the group?
TH: The society is open to men and women ages 21 and older who share a passion for serving their community.
The 225 members are some of the busiest volunteers in Manatee County. … The nonprofit organization is responsible for producing the largest and most well-attended events in the region.
On the schedule
April 23: Queen Selection Program, 7:30 p.m., Bradenton Area Convention Center, 1 Haben Blvd., Palmetto.
April 25: Dinner and Coronation Ball, 6 p.m., Bradenton Area Convention Center, 1 Haben Blvd., Palmetto.
April 26: Bradenton Public Market, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Old Main Street, Bradenton; parade block party, 1:30-8:30 p.m., Old Main; 5K race, along the parade route, 5-5:45 p.m.; Grand Parade, 6:30-9 p.m., 1.75 miles along Manatee Avenue West.
For more information, email [email protected], call 941-747-1998 or go online to desotohq.com.
Also, the parade and party will be live-streamed at mor-tv.com.
