Although I can't confirm the numbers, media sources predicted a turnout of roughly a half-million people for the Gasparilla parade. Judging from the density of folks along the 3-plus mile parade route, this could easily be the case.

Tending the crowd, I sometimes opted to cross an overpass to get a better view. From those elevations, I glimpsed thousands and thousands of eager spectators stretched out for blocks in either direction.