Gasparilla 2014 (parade)

[DUNNDFRNT]

Originally Posted by SeaSpur

Obviously a chance to drink in the streets and get crazy during the day is a golden opportunity for most, so it will always attract a crowd.

How does that sound like a good environment for kids? I see kids at the winghouse/hooters all the time not necessarily the best idea.

[spbbound]

Originally Posted by jsun556

Lol. You could have just walked across the bridge to the Sheraton and caught a cab there.

Was on the interior side; no way to cross, they weren't letting people cross bayshore.

[jsun556]

Originally Posted by spbbound

Was on the interior side; no way to cross, they weren't letting people cross bayshore.

You don't have to cross Bayshore to get there. But whatev. Seriously don't think there was a reason to walk alllllll the way to Howard and Kennedy for a cab with a little outside the box thinking... lol. That shouldn't deter anyone from going.

[SeaSpur]

Originally Posted by DUNNDFRNT

How does that sound like a good environment for kids? I see kids at the winghouse/hooters all the time not necessarily the best idea.

Because, like anything else, you just have to use good judgment and common sense.

Like I said- stay on the water side of the parade gates and then make your exit when the parade is over...totally fine and you will encounter hardly anything inappropriate, especially if you target the southern portion of the parade route.

It's not like Mardi Gras level of crazy and debauchery.

[Beacher23]

So where would be the best place for parking which doesn't require walking a mile and being there at 8am?

[DUNNDFRNT]

Originally Posted by SeaSpur

Because, like anything else, you just have to use good judgment and common sense.

Like I said- stay on the water side of the parade gates and then make your exit when the parade is over...totally fine and you will encounter hardly anything inappropriate, especially if you target the southern portion of the parade route.

It's not like Mardi Gras level of crazy and debauchery.

It seems to me if you are a parent of small children using common sense and good judgement would be not to take your children to that kind of event.

[jsun556]

Originally Posted by Beacher23

So where would be the best place for parking which doesn't require walking a mile and being there at 8am?

Finding a friend that lives in the quarantine zone.

I live in the barricaded zone and have 4 parking passes. I'm the most popular guy in the world amongst my circle right now. Perhaps I should make them give me drinks all weekend in exchange.

[chi_tino]

Originally Posted by Beacher23

So where would be the best place for parking which doesn't require walking a mile and being there at 8am?

The northern part of downtown. The official parade end is at Curtis Hixon Park, and the crowds start to thin as you head north through downtown (that's when I start throwing entire bags of beads to the crowd). Lots of parking, a number of restaurants, and the first float will not arrive until at least 3 pm. The crowds will not be 20-40 people deep like on Bayshore, so you don't have to get there 5 hours early to snag a spot.

As they have done every year for about the past decade, the Lightning have scheduled a hockey game to start at the same time the parade is ending. ABSOLUTELY AVOID THE SOUTHERN PART OF DOWNTOWN. You will be gridlocked for hours.

[tinalimey]

Had a great time yesterday, another successful Gasparilla in the books! And the weather was perfect.

[Beacher23]

Wow, what an experience my first Gasparilla was! Definitely will be going again next year, and i can't wait to see what the night parade in Ybor is going to be like