The Buc Day Parade reaches historic 82 annual celebration 

The countdown is on.  The premier event of the Spring is the Buc Days Navy Army Illuminated Night Parade that is coming up this weekend.

This is a special year for  the Buc Days Parade as it reaches the historic 82 annual celebration.

Due to construction of the new Harbor Bridge, this year’s route has changed. This year’s parade will begin at the American Bank Center.

This year’s parade is going to be exciting and bigger than ever, especially with the new 3.2 mile parade route that could prove to be a challenge.

“We are not starting at Buc Stadium. We are actually starting around the American Bank Center. So that’s going to be the challenge as far as setting up the security and the different camera positions and so on and so forth. The other challenging issues that are going to be for the police department is how much of a crowd it’s going to be. We are basing all the times past Buc Parades on those certain crowds,” said CCPD Captain William Broyles.

For those people who will setup in advance to secure prime viewing spots along the parade route, keep in mind you are not permitted to camp along the route before 5:00 p.m. May 3^rd.

“Be respectful of each other’s marking on the sidewalk, and if you do have a disagreement, be civil about it, call the police, and we will go out there, and we will handle it,” said Broyles.

If you plan on drinking alcohol at this year’s parade,  the Corpus Christi Police Department wants you to be responsible.

“We haven’t had really big issues when it comes to the alcohol consumption in times past, we plan on keeping it that way. We do have plenty of police officers or we will have plenty of police officers out there; we will have plenty of cameras out there, and we want people to enjoy their time at the parade,” said Broyles.

CCPD is also stressing that parade goers keep an eye on their children.

“Especially when they’re seeing the different vendors, and they are really excited. We completely understand; lets keep an eye on our children, and lets teach our children if they do get lost and can’t find you, to find the nearest police officer. That way we know they are safe, and we can start helping look for the parents so we can reunite them,” said Broyles.

This annual event will feature an abundance of floats, lively high school marching bands, high-stepping horses, and of course, we can’t forget about our own KRIS-6 family who will not only be taking part in it, but will also be televising the event live.

Due to construction of the new Harbor Bridge, this year’s route has changed. This year’s parade will begin at the American Bank Center, travel south on Chaparral to Schatzell Street.

It will then go west on Leopard Street and south of North Staples Street and end at Buford Street.

Here are some rules for spectators to follow:

• Parade viewing spots on Chaparral St. are first come first serve basis beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday May 4^th. No marking of these spots is allowed.

• Parade viewing spots from Schatzell St. to Buford St. may mark their spots in chalk only. There will be limited spots on Schatzell as some areas will be closed off for spectator safety. People are not permitted to camp along the route before 5:00 p.m. May 3^rd.
  Spectators are not allowed to use spray paint to mark their spots along the parade route, residents should use chalk.
  Dogs must be on a leash.
  Keep an eye on your children and should you lose your child be sure to contact the nearest officers as soon as possible. Instruct your children to find an officer should they get lost so that you can be reunited.

• Citizens can rent portable toilets and place them on City property along the parade route, if the toilets do not block the sidewalk, public right of way, or other’s access to the parade route.

• No “poppers” or other noise makers, silly string, or laser lights are allowed along the parade route.

• Spectators are asked to bag their trash before leaving and remove any large items brought to the parade route (e.g. barbecue pits, chairs, coolers).*Consumption of alcohol is only allowed Saturday, May 4^th from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.during the parade, along the parade route. Police ask spectators to please drink responsibly so the parade is enjoyable for everyone. Officers will keep an eye out for incidents of public intoxication, including people who are drunk and disorderly.