This year’s parade lineup features Palma Sola Elementary, Learning Is fun Academy, Jessie P. Miller Elementary, Freedom Elementary, Palmetto Charter, Pressure House Academy, Star Academy of Dance & Aerial Arts, Major Productions Studio of Dance, Kingdom Arts Academy, Seaside Allstars and Palmetto High School FFA and a local Baton Twirling group. Schools will be judged on the following categories: “Most Crowd Pleasing”, “Best Use of Theme”, “Most Imaginative”, and “Most Colorful”.
The Children’s Parade will also feature special guests. Including Darrell King, the 2023 Grand Marshal, and Distinguished Citizen’s, Emmanuel and Popi Ameres. Spanish Dignitaries from Barcarrota, Spain, Eva Chaparro Laso and Edu Madrid Alonso, will be in attendance, as well as the De Soto Ambassador, Megan Mitchell.
You will be able to see the De Soto President, Sid Jones, and General Chairman, Shannon Glasgow. The Manatee County Sheriff, Rick Wells, Palmetto Police Chief, Scott Tyler, and Shirley Groover Bryant, the Mayor of Palmetto will also join in on this fun day! Along with the 2023 Fair Queens, Alyssa Pritchett, Reese Williams, Zion Leboff, and Gracyn Carpenter. And the nine young ladies on the Queen’s Court with their Conquistadorables. You can spot the Crewe of De Soto on their float, the San Cristobal, as they carry the Hernando de Soto, Paul Webb, Captain, Bob Richardson, the Queen, Alexandra Mercer, and the Princess, Leah Andrews.
The 2023 De Soto Children’s Parade will be Friday, April 7th, starting at 10 AM. The parade route will follow the historic avenues of Palmetto, starting at the Manatee County Fairgrounds, south on 10th Avenue west and then along fifth street west to Lamb Park.
Immediately following the Children’s Parade, will be the Party In The Park, presented by the Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County. The Party In The Park features Community Agencies, offering free resources and information for parents. There are also free books available for kids, as well as games, face painting, and arts and crafts.
