School Performance & Complimentary Parade Application

The Children's Gasparilla Parade has been a part of Tampa's Gasparilla celebration since 1947. This family-friendly parade takes place along Bayshore Boulevard from Bay to Bay Boulevard, moving north to Edison Avenue. The Children's Gasparilla Parade traditionally hosts more than 100 entry units, including krewes, marching bands, dance groups, school performance teams, and community organizations. Parade applications are open to the public! The Children's Gasparilla Parade will be broadcast live on FOX 13 and streamed live on www.Fox13News.com.

This application is for all school participants; band, cheerleaders, dance groups, school sports teams, etc. If you are a Krewe, dance studio, charity, commercial organization, business, sell good or services in this market (regardless of tax status), etc. this application is not for you. Please see additional application options or reach out to McKenzie at mckenzie@eventfest.com for further guidence. 

 

Please note parade committee earns the right to evaluate entry category.

Thank you for your interest in participating in the Children's Gasparilla parade. EventFest and our partners work tirelessly to produce this parade with minimal formal regulations. However, the complexity of staging a parade of this magnitude and the obligation of television and major sponsors require that certain rules of safety and standards be strictly adhered to by all participants. We have outlined these rules and requirements in this application.

 

Any organization who has been denied entry into the Children’s Gasparilla Parade will receive a refund of their Entry Fee. Your Entry Fee will also be refunded if the event is cancelled prior to its scheduled date. Please note, if you are accepted into the parade and the parade is canceled prior to its scheduled date, your non-refundable application fee will be applied towards your 2026 application fee.

 

If your unit can no longer participate in the Children’s Gasparilla Parade and would like to request a refund of your entry fee, you must do so by October 1, 2024. No refunds will be issued after this date under any circumstances.

 

You will receive confirmation of your application within 30 days of receipt. Once applications have been reviewed by the parade committee, you will receive an email of acceptance/denial in mid-October, along with notes about any missing or incorrect information in your application. If you have been accepted – a parade packet will be sent to you in early January and will include all information you will need for the event (unit number, map, wristbands, vehicle passes, etc.).