2010 Temple Terrace Independence Parade

It's always hot at 10:00 a.m. on a July morning, but that didn't stop the Tampa Bay Derby Darlins and the SkatePlex rink staff from making it out for their 3rd consecutive year to celebrate Independence Day with the residents of Temple Terrace. This year's parade was a special event because it preceded the "Red, White, and Bruised" roller derby bout that evening. The parade is a great way to get out into the surrounding community and show them what derby is all about.

This parade nearly resembled a circus, complete with death defying acts and colorful animals. Rock-C, Flirtin W Disaster, and Ram Em Noodle demonstrating their high flying skills as they took turns laying in the street and jumped over each other. Flirtin did cartwheels throughout the route as she encouraged the crowd to cheer loudly for roller derby. Every circus needs their four-legged performers, so TBDD showcased their newest parade mascot, Zephyr (a standard poodle). He was dressed to the nines with blue and red stars as he pranced up and down the route pulling along his "personal assistant", Dr. Break-N-Hurter.

As always, this event was a family affair. Many of the skaters brought out their kids to help celebrate derby and Independence Day. Noodle and Rock-C's sons passed out water to thirsty skaters. While Slam Buca and the Buca family displayed their newest creation, the TBDD Frank wagon. It was derby-rrificly decorated in black and pink with inflatable "Frank the flamingos" hanging from every corner.

TBDD didn't want to disappoint the audience so they made sure to keep well stocked with candy and beads to throw to the crowd. Mara Blade and Stella Knockout threw the furthest and made sure to reach every kid on the route. Zoom Boom Pow, Sketch E Artist, and Buster Ash handed out fliers to every outstretched hand they encountered, trying to get the word out about roller derby. Hopefully, the parade-goers enjoyed the experience as much as the TBDD skaters. We can't wait to do it again next year!

Thanks to Autoway Nissan and Rob Paulsen for loaning us a fancy Nissan Titan truck to carry our beads, water, and children through the parade route.