Arrrgggh you ready for the pirate invasion?! On January 27th, 2024, an anticipated crowd of 300,000 people will descend upon Bayshore Boulevard for Tampa’s 120th edition of the Gasparilla Parade. Whether you’re marching in a school band, participating in a community group, or walking alongside a float, the right footwear is crucial for a comfortable and enjoyable parade. Here are some easy tips and tricks to keep your feet nice and healthy
Wear Good Shoes and Supports:
- Parades often involve long distances and extended periods of walking or marching. Choose shoes with an excellent arch support and cushioning to minimize foot fatigue. Brands that specialise in running or walking can provide the comfort and support needed for the duration of the parade. On average, a person will walk about 15,000 steps at Gasparilla. Make sure those are comfortable steps!
Wear Closed-Toe Shoes:
- If you’ve never been to a Gasparilla parade, it involves a lot of people fighting over beads getting thrown into a large crowd. People are willing to go to lengths to secure these treasures. Chances are you’re going to get your feet stepped and jumped on. To protect your feet from accidental injuries opt for closed-toe shoes. This will also help prevent toenail injuries and bruises.
Don’t Go Barefoot:
- This may seem like a no-brainer but as a person who’s been to Gasparilla over a dozen times, I’ve seen tons of people go barefoot once the parade is over. As it turns out, those high heels and pirate boots aren’t too comfy afterall. Plenty of girls will ditch their uncomfortable foot wear to give their foot relief as they walk home. Please be careful as this also happens to be one of the biggest drinking holidays. There will almost certainly be broken glass on the ground in addition to the many dangers that Florida already presents such as sand spurs and palm frawns. If you do step on something, make sure you keep the area clean and covered until you can come in to be seen by us.
Gasparilla is a memorable and exciting experience, and the right footwear can make all the difference. But if in the unlikely event you experience an injury, Healthy Feet Podiatry is the unofficial headquarters for foot problems. We have an on-site x-ray to quickly diagnose any fractures and state of the art fluoroscopy to easily remove any broken glass or foreign body from going barefoot. Happy Gaspy, you swashbucklers!
We offer SAME DAY appointments with convenient offices in Hyde Park, Riverview, and Temple Terrace. If you suffer a parade related injury, please call us at 813-875-0555 to book an appointment.