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Future Looks Bright For Local Parade Lovers

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By SARAH HOYE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 14, 2008

Before Gasparilla season goes dark, one more parade is set to light up the night.

The Krewe of Sant' Yago Illuminated Knight Parade will wind its way through Tampa's streets Saturday. The procession of more than 100 lighted floats and marching bands will start downtown and its rowdy band of pirates will shower paradegoers with beads all the way through Ybor City.

"Even though people think Tampa has tons of parades, this is the only illuminated parade," says Teri Cox Hickey, parade spokeswoman. "So it's lots of lights and lots of fun."

Festivities begin at noon at Union Station (corner of Nebraska Avenue and Twiggs Street) with the Family Fiesta. Kid-friendly activities include live entertainment, inflatables, face painting and more. As evening draws near, adults can get things started with happy hour events at Channelside and in Ybor.

"We offer something for the families and all ages," says Cox Hickey. "Ybor City is a historic district and fabulous to visit, and the krewe does great things for Tampa."

The parade begins at 6:30 p.m. at Nebraska Avenue and Twiggs Street, travels north along Nick Nuccio Parkway, then east on Seventh Avenue and ends at 22nd Street.

Parking will be available at the Twiggs Street Garage, 901 E. Twiggs St., between Nebraska Avenue and Jefferson Street. Cost is $1.20 per hour. Don't forget to bring cash.

EVENT PREVIEW

Sant' Yago Illuminated Knight Parade

WHAT: Lighted parade through nightlife district, preceded by family-friendly festival

WHEN: Family Fiesta, noon to 6 p.m.; happy hours from 4 to 6 p.m. at Channelside and Centro Ybor; parade begins at 6:30 p.m.

WHERE: Union Station, 601 Nebraska Ave., Tampa; Shops at Channelside, 615 Channelside Drive, Tampa; Centro Ybor, 1600 E. Eighth Ave., Tampa

TICKETS: Admission to parade and Family Fiesta are free; bleacher seats for parade available at cc-events.org for $25

MORE INFO: knightparade

.com or (813) 248-0721

Reporter Sarah Hoye can be reached at (813) 259-7832 or shoye@tampatrib.com.

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