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Begging for those baubles

Tiny pirates sound the cry "Give me beads!" at Saturday's Gasparilla Children's Parade.

By STEPHANIE HAYES
Published January 22, 2006

	[Times photo: Brian Cassella]
	Billy Swartz, 2, waits for more floats to pass along Bayshore Boulevard with Hugo Swartz, 1, and Annette Swartz at Saturday's Gasparilla Children's Parade and Piratechnic Extravaganza. Go to video

TAMPA - Ben Alvarado had a sure-fire plan to help his kids collect beads.

He tied a red bandana to his father's cane and flailed it through the air to draw attention. Then, he used the cane's handle to fish wayward strands from the bushes.

"It's working pretty good," Alvarado said with a laugh.

Alvarado brought his four children to Saturday's Gasparilla Children's Parade and Piratechnic Extravaganza, an alcohol-free, family event held annually the Saturday before the Gasparilla Parade of the Pirates and pirate invasion.

Ashley Alvarado, 10, was happy to score beads from her enterprising dad. She was excited to see airplanes fly overhead and watch floats file down Bayshore Boulevard. In fact, she said, "I really like everything!"

Thousands of children and grownups stood along the parade route, which stretched from Rome Avenue to Bay to Bay Boulevard, arms outstretched, yelling for beads. They cheered as costumed dancers shimmied down the street and music blared from floats made to look like pirate ships.

The day kicked off with the 2006 Ybor Navy Invasion, which had people on boats pelting the SS American Victory with water and hunks of Cuban bread. Back on the parade route, preschoolers rolled down the street in wagons and strollers before the big floats took over. The event wrapped up with a fireworks display.

The children's parade has been part of Tampa's Gasparilla celebration since 1947, and early on bounced from weekend to weekend, usually after the adult event. Organizers set the permanent date in 2004.

"I love the sense of community," said Mick Dowie of Tampa, who came with daughter Caroline, 4. "Everybody is having a great time, without incident."

Sarah Port, 12, has come to the parade with her mom, Eileen, for 10 years, and each year, she said, it feels a little different.

"It can get a little embarrassing," she said, "but once you get into it, then it's like "Give me beads!' "

The surplus of beads proved enticing for even the tiniest of paradegoers. Just 3 weeks old, Vanessa Spada chilled out in her grandma Carmela Carleo's arms. With sleepy eyes, she reached up to Carleo's bead-draped neck.

"Look!" Carleo said. "She's grabbing the beads!"

[Last modified January 22, 2006, 01:01:11]