DeSoto Heritage

April was filled with events in Manatee County relating to the discovery of Florida on May 30, 1539. The State has a Memorial at the site where it is believed the Spanish explorers landed. Don Hernando de Soto, along with 600 Conquistadors claimed La Florida in the name of Spain. There were parades and balls and bottle boat regattas and seafood festivals along with many educational events in celebration of the Spanish heritage. Barcarrotta, Spain is the sister city to Bradenton and the boyhood home of de Soto. Today, 225 Conquistadors continue to preserve the history and heritage of this event throughout the year. It gives new meaning to the names of many local streets in the area. The major final event was the Grand Parade. People put out their chairs along the route starting two days before the parade and families and businesses joined hands to promote and enjoy an old fashioned parade with approximately 150 entries including a school bus! Throwing beads to the throngs is the highlight and everyone, young and old, left smiling and happy with several ropes of beads around their necks!