The Hernando DeSoto Historical Socie­ty's Grand Parade will depart from at 6:30 p.m. today, for its 2.5-mile journey across town. Click here for a pa­rade route and don't forget that roads along the route will close beginning at 5:30 p.m.

More than 200,000 people are expected to come out to view the parade on Saturday. With more than 150 floats on display, it is recognized as one of the largest parades in the south. Look for Patch in the parade. We will launch t-shirts and throw beads and candy to the crowd.

The City of Bradenton has set out trash cans and trash bags all along the route. All trash should be bagged and left on the curb along the route Saturday night. The city will collect all of those bags on Sunday.