One more chance to catch strands

Devil Rays coach Lou Piniella is set to lead a trail of floats, marching bands and bead-tossing pirates in tonight's Sant'Yago Knight Parade in Ybor City.

By BABITA PERSAUD, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published February 15, 2003

TAMPA -- The past few weeks have been exhausting for the people at the Bead Barn.

There was the Gasparilla children's parade. Then, a victory parade for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. And then, the really big bead-throwing event: Gasparilla.

Tonight comes the last hurrah: the Sant'Yago illuminated Knight Parade in Ybor City.

"This year, we were totally wiped out," said Bead Barn co-owner Duane Wendel, talking about the run on Buc-themed beads. "There's still a big request for them."

Of course, there are plenty of other beads left at the Barn, on Barcelona Street in South Tampa. That includes Bead Barn originals: dolphins, flamingos with pink and white pearls, parrot strands. And for the illuminated Knight Parade: electric-powered dice beads and glow-in-the dark strands the color of cotton candy.

Tampa's final parade -- at least, until the St. Patrick's Day parade in mid-March -- begins at 6 p.m. with Devil Rays head coach Lou Piniella scheduled to lead a trail of illuminated floats and marching bands and bead-tossing pirates.

The parade, presented by the Krewe of the Knights of Sant'Yago, is only part of the fun.

Starting at 2 p.m. today, in downtown Tampa, there is the Red Barron Pizza Family Fiesta. The event, at the Joe Chillura Courthouse Square near Morgan Street and Kennedy Boulevard, is billed as the ultimate outdoor pizza party for kids.

It includes entertainment; rides and games; the Monster Mural, a four-story interactive painting activity; street performers; face painters and jugglers.

There also is the popular knighting area, where kids can get a certification of knighthood.

In Ybor City, pre-parade fun begins at Centro Ybor at 1 p.m. with music in the plaza.

The Fresh Market, in Centennial Park, will have extended hours today, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Knight parade is expected to end at 9 p.m. in downtown Tampa.

It starts at 23rd Street and Seventh Avenue in Ybor City, heads west on Seventh Avenue to Nick Nuccio, south on Nick Nuccio to Nebraska, south on Nebraska to Twiggs, west on Twiggs to Morgan, south on Morgan to Kennedy and east on Kennedy.

It ends at Kennedy and Nebraska.

Because of the crowds, the TECO Line Streetcar System will suspend service to Ybor City from 6 to 9 p.m. Streetcars will operate during the regular Saturday hours from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m., but cease from 20th Street to 6th Avenue in Ybor City until the end of the parade.

To accommodate passengers who want to enter and exit Ybor City during the hours of the parade, the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority will erect a temporary, non-wheelchair accessible streetcar stop south of 6th Avenue. A wheelchair accessible HARTline wan will travel between the Port Authority streetcar station, McKay Street and Channelside Drive, and the temporary Ybor City stop.

If you go

Sant'Yago Knight Parade starts at 6 p.m. today in Ybor City. The Family Fiesta runs from 2 to 6 p.m. in downtown Tampa.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright