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Safety Rules Change For Grand Feature Parade

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By GEORGE H. NEWMAN, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 19, 2007

The Florida Strawberry Festival has decided to ban the distribution of candy and beads at its 2008 Grand Feature Parade.

The festival directors took the step to improve safety following the death of Jordan Hays, 9, of Inverness, who was killed by a float Dec. 7 while helping distribute candy at the Plant City Christmas Parade.

The Grand Feature Parade is at 1 p.m. March 3.

"We will stress a zero tolerance policy when it comes to safety violations," festival association President Gary Boothe said. "There will be no passing out of candy. There will be no objects thrown into the crowd from the floats."

The parade previously banned throwing beads and candy, he said.

"People came to the parade before we allowed such things," he said. "And they will return when we rule them out."

The other annual festival parade, the Plant City Civitan Youth Parade, does not allow distribution of candy or beads, club President and parade chairwoman Pat Pogue said.

"Our parade has never done that," Pogue said. "No children walk the route, only adult chaperones. Safety is always on our minds."

The youth parade is at 11 a.m. March 1.

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