Knight Parade Announces Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn as Grand Marshal

TAMPA, Fla. (Jan. 25, 2019) – The 2019 Krewe of Sant’ Yago Knight Parade, presented by MOR-TV, will feature Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn as grand marshal. A Tampa tradition since the 1970s, the annual illuminated parade will take place on Saturday, Feb. 9 in historic Ybor City.

“Mayor Buckhorn has helped to transform the City of Tampa, and his dedication to our community mirrors our Krewe members’ enthusiasm for it,” said Jimmy Piloto, Krewe of the Knights of Sant’ Yago member and 2019 parade chairman. “Serving as Grand Marshal is the perfect way to commemorate his term in office.”

In addition, WMOR-TV personality and fan favorite Steve Wilkos will return as a special guest at the Knight Parade.Wilkos began hosting “The Steve Wilkos Show” in 2007 and has earned four Prism Award nominations for raising awareness about substance abuse and other social issues.

“Steve loves taking part in the Knight Parade and he’sshown a strong commitment to giving back to the community, much like WMOR-TV and the Krewe members,” said Pam Barber, President and General Manager of MOR-TV. “MOR-TV is excited to once again partner with the Knights of Sant’ Yago and have Steve back for this fun, family-friendly event in Ybor City.”

Before a career in entertainment, Wilkos served in the U.S. Marine Corps for seven years, and then returned to his hometown to serve in the Chicago Police Department for 12 years. Wilkos began moonlighting as a security guard on “The Jerry Springer Show” before he retired from the police department and had guest hosted more than 50 episodes. His popularity grew with viewers, and as a result, he began hosting his own show, “The Steve Wilkos Show” in 2007. “The Steve Wilkos Show” airs weekdays at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. on MOR-TV.

The 2019 Knight Parade begins at 7 p.m. as illuminated floats roll down Seventh Avenue in historic Ybor City. The floats are accompanied by dozens of marching bands, local dignitaries and thousands of participants as they throw scores of beads to an estimated 100,000 spectators.

Proceeds from the Knight Parade benefit the Krewe’s Education Foundation, which has provided more than $2.5 million in higher education scholarships since it was established in 1994. Each year, the Krewe of the Knights of Sant’ Yago Education Foundation awards scholarships to deserving students at local colleges and universities, including USF.

For more information on the 2019 Knight Parade, visit www.KnightParade.com.

ABOUT THE KREWE OF THE KNIGHTS OF SANT’ YAGO:

Since the early 1970s, The Krewe of the Knights of Sant’ Yago has organized and hosted the Knight Parade, an annual celebration of Tampa civic pride. Each year, the Knight Parade, as well as other fundraising events, helps raise funds for the Krewe of the Knights of Sant’ Yago Education Foundation, which has provided more than $2 million in scholarships for local students. Visit www.KnightParade.comand www.KreweOfSantYago.comfor more information.

ABOUT MOR-TV:

MOR-TV is a Hearst Television owned and operated television station in Tampa Bay and is one of America’s top independent television stations. MOR-TV features the best in off-network comedies and dramas featuring The Big Bang Theory, Mom, The Goldbergs, Last Man Standing, Modern Family, Family Guy, Chicago PD, and more. MOR-TV is also one of three stations in a group that includes thisTV Tampa Bay, the market’s first 24-hour over-the-air movie channel featuring blockbuster motion pictures, and estrellaTV Tampa Bay, the fastest growing Hispanic entertainment channel in America. MOR-TV’s website is www.mor-tv.com.