St. Pete revs up once again

Here's what's going on this weekend in the Tampa area:

ST. PETERSBURG - A full weekend of racing is already in gear in St. Petersburg.

The festivities officially started with a Thursday night parade down Central Avenue. It featured last year's champ, Will Power, and this year, Budweiser added a float and its world-renowned Clydesdale horses.

A big party followed at North Straub Park where fans got the opportunity to meet the drivers.

"Anytime we bring in the Honda Grand Prix, it brings 150,000 people to a downtown spot. So the hotels are filled, restaurants will be packed, there's a lot of economic impact with this event," Mayor Bill Foster offered. "And then, of course, you've got the impact of a three-hour commercial on national television."

The weekend of racing wraps up with the main event, Sunday's Honda Grand Prix.

There are several closures in the downtown area. Through race weekend, the following roads will be closed or have limited access:

• CLOSED - First Ave. S. from First St. to Bayshore
• LIMITED ACCESS on Second Ave. S from First to Second St. S
• CLOSED - Beach Dr. from Central Ave. to First Ave. S
• CLOSED - First St. from First Ave. S to Fifth Ave. S
• LIMITED ACCESS - First St. S from Fifth Ave. S to Eighth Ave. S AND Sixth Ave. S from Second St. to First St. from March 25 through March 27

For more traffic and parking information, click on over to the city's website. 

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