More Like Stinksparilla
Yesterday we went to the Gasparilla parade in Tampa. This was supposed to be a pirate parade for the family. The weather lady said it would rain at 3:30. We were supposed to meet our group at 2:30 and the parade started at 4. We can face a little rain, I thought. I packed the ponchos and the umbrella.
Our group met near a parking garage downtown where there was a free shuttle to the parade route. We are not normally shuttle people. We like to have our own transportation nearby because with all the little children we have, you never know when we are going to want to leave. Plus, we don't like being crammed on a bus with a bunch of strangers, all the while trying to handle strollers and backpacks and the children. But, we were with a group so we were going with the flow.
Everything started fine. We could see the clouds coming in, but we were prepared. Then we heard there was a "severe weather warning" for Tampa. But, the parade was getting started so we decided to see how it went and get a few funnel cakes. Let's just say, the parade itself was less than exciting. The floats themselves were just okay. Something you'd expect to see in a small town Memorial Day parade- not a major city parade that has been advertised on every news channel for the last month. Since it was a pirate parade, every float was throwing out bead necklaces. No candy. At all. My kids were NOT impressed. People kept offering to let them down front, but they refused. They'd just sit back, eat the funnel cakes, play on the strolli, and tolerate the noise.
After all of our eating was done, we decided to hit the road. Maybe if we left early, we'd get back sooner. About halfway to the shuttle pick up spot, we noticed that there were no more floats going down the parade route. Is it over already? Then suddenly, it got VERY crowded. Then I heard someone say, "they canceled the parade." Apparently two tornados touched down somewhere in the Tampa area. So everyone left the parade at once. Which left about 1,000 people waiting under two overpasses for shuttles. We stood for 2 hours in the cold rain waiting for those shuttles. By the way, in Tampa, there is no dirt, only sand. So by the time the two hours were up, my sandals were filled with wet sand. Also, no one cares that you have 3 small children and that you are pregnant. They are getting on that bus ahead of you if it kills them. Our children informed us that not only was it the worst parade ever, it was also the worst day of their lives. Stupid Pirates.
Sheryl Bane
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Reader Comments (12)
What a bad organisation as well! couldn't they add more shuttles? Pffffff I feel for you. I hope you could in the mean time recover at home from teh experience and cuddle up in coziness there.
Lori
Glad you got out alive :-)
Mike
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