The De Soto Grand Parade

The Grand Parade is the highlight of Bradenton’s De Soto Heritage Festival, bringing together over 150 parade entries, including floats and marching bands. This event attracts more than 100,000 people each year, making it one of the biggest and most anticipated parades in the Southeast.

This year brings some major changes, as the parade has outgrown the previous format, thanks to an increase in the number of entries, larger floats, and record numbers of spectators. Now, the parade will begin in downtown Bradenton with a family-friendly street party”that will start several hours before the parade steps off. Spectators can watch the floats set up while also enjoying live music, street vendors, children’s activities, a 5K race, and more.