TDC recommends $75,000 to Hernando de Soto Historical Society for parade safety and pre‑parade programming

The Tourist Development Council recommended on Feb. 24 that the Board of County Commissioners provide $75,000 in support to the Hernando de Soto Historical Society to underwrite parade safety measures and pre‑parade programming.

Gus (last name not specified), speaking for the historical society, told the council the organization has staged the parade since 1939 and said this year’s event will include a larger, fully barricaded route and a downtown block party to bring business to the area. He said a full barricade of the roughly 3.5‑mile parade route adds significant costs. “Barricading a parade…with every foot of that route blocked off is very cost prohibitive,” he said.

Nut graf: Council members agreed that parade safety and downtown activation support local businesses and community engagement. A motion to recommend $75,000 passed by voice vote; councilors also noted additional future support could be discussed in subsequent budget cycles.

Details: The society highlighted its volunteer and charitable activities including packing aid, donating to local missions and working with city emergency efforts after storms. The requested funds are intended for current event safety and logistics; the society said additional funding up to $100,000 could be considered for the next fiscal cycle if needed.

Vote: A motion to approve the requested $75,000 was moved and seconded on the Feb. 24 agenda and passed by voice vote. The council instructed staff to forward the recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners for formal action.

Ending: Council members praised the society’s volunteer work and agreed that a safe, well‑managed parade supports tourism and downtown businesses.