Krewe of the Knights of Sant' Yago Knight Parade Planned For Saturday

TAMPA, FL — Tampa loves a parade and, to prove it, the city will host yet another one on the heels of its Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade, the Gasparilla Children's Parade and the Gasparilla Pirate Fest Parade in January.

The popular Krewe of the Knights of Sant' Yago Knight Parade, presented by MOR-TV and co-sponsored by the city of Tampa, will take place Saturday, Feb. 11, at 7 p.m. along 7th Avenue from Nuccio Parkway to 22nd Street in the Ybor City National Landmark Historic District.

The 2023 parade grand marshal will be Florida Sports Hall of Fame baseball player, Tampa native and Jefferson High School graduate Luis “Gonzo” Gonzalez.

In addition, MOR-TV personality Steve Wilkos, 2023 Knights of Sant' Yago Baron Gene Cabrera, 2023 Knights of Sant' Yago chairman Joe Parrino, 2023 (50th) El Rey Ray Favata and 2023 La Reina Demmi Parrino will join the parade as special guests.

Chartered in 1972, the Krewe of the Knights of Sant’ Yago is dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of Tampa’s rich Latin heritage and culture.

Comprised of 250 of the Tampa Bay area’s professional men, the Krewe of the Knights of Sant’ Yago is represented each year by its El Rey (king) and his La Reina (queen) and their Royal Court of Ladies-In-Waiting, Courtesanos, Pages, Attendants and Royal Sword Bearer.

This year the Krewe of the Knights of Sant’ Yago is celebrating its 50th anniversary, and the Knight Parade will be a special commemoration. Royalty appearing in the parade will include The 50th king, Ray Favata, accompanied by the queen, Demmi Parrino.

MOR-TV personality Steve Wilkos, host of “The Steve Wilkos Show,” one of daytime television’s most popular shows, will participate as well as Knights of Sant’ Yago 2023 baron, Gene Cabrera, and 2023 chairman, Joe Parrino.

The Krewe of the Knights of Sant’ Yago has organized and hosted the Knight Parade since 1974 to raise funds for higher education. Through the Knight Parade and other fundraising events, the Krewe of the Knights of Sant’ Yago Education Foundation has provided more than $4 million in scholarships for local students to attend Tampa Bay colleges and universities since 1994.

To accommodate the parade, 7th Avenue will close at 2 p.m. Cross streets will close at 6:30 p.m.

Parade-goers are encouraged to arrive early for pre-parade events and grab a bite to eat at one of the many Ybor City restaurants.

For those unable to attend, MOR-TV will be live-streaming the parade online at MOR-TV.com.

To get a better view at the parade, purchase bleacher seating here.