Part 1 United Healthcare Children’s Foundation Parade & Band Blast

The traditional Outback Bowl Parade has a new sponsoring organization for the New Years Eve parade and changed its name to the United Healthcare Children’s Foundation Parade and Band Blast. This year 41 bands participated in the Ybor City 7th Ave early evening festivity. We participated by dressing in pirate costume and riding the Spirit of Cigar City Krewe Float with its partying Krewe. We had brought along as a Mark & Carrie tradition for New Years Eve pictures our ‘Big Gold Frame’  We framed a lot of people that night! We were invited guests with Ybor City Development Corp board members. YCDC mgr Vince Pardo, retail chair Joe Howden, YCDC Econ mgr Brenda Thrower, Gen David Scott and Veronica S. in marketing were on the float also. We definitely kicked the party up a few notches. The super friendly krewe had a full bar to make traveling down 7th Ave with the 10’s of thousand spectators that much easier. As the beads flew from our hands the beads greeted the visiting Penn State fans and the arm clapping Florida Gator crusaders. It was a solid big roar as we traveled through the valley of 7th Ave.  We were invited to the Outback Bowl  President’s Balcony Party for some adult beverages and snacks! No steaks or blooming onions were to be found! Of course pictures were in order.  A great fun warm night and to our most gracious hosts, Spirit of Cigar City Krewe, Thank You!!!.