It's Gasparilla season, and Tampa has begun celebrating 100 years of the tradition with the annual children's parade.
The parade began at Bay To Bay and Bayshore boulevards, proceeds north along Bayshore and ends at Watrous and Orleans avenues. It's one of the largest children's parades in the nation, with more than 100 entries, including krewes, marching bands and dancers.
A family-friendly event, the parade kicked off at 11 a.m. with a bicycle safety and pedestrian rodeo. That's followed by the Preschooler Stroll at 1:30 p.m. and the children's parade from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Reserved seating is $33 per person, including tax, plus a $5 handling charge per ticket with a maximum of $30 handling per order. The children's parade has been part of Gasparilla since 1947.
At 7 p.m., the "Piratechnic Extravagana" will light up the night sky. This year's show will include "nautical shells," fireworks that dance on the surface of the water.