Ahoy There! Aaarrr, it’s Gasparilla Pirate Day again. Let’s celebrate, matey. On January 26, Saturday, prepare to defend Tampa as the pirates are gearing up for an invasion. It’s the day when Tampa, Florida celebrates the mythical pirate José Gaspar or Gasparilla, a Spanish naval captain who turned into piracy and operated in Florida’s southwest coast.
Gasprilla Pirate Fest, an annual event in Tampa brings in more than 300,000 people during the main parade. Members of Ye Mystik Krewe of Gasparilla dress up as pirates and sail towards Tampa on board the Jose Gasparilla pirate ship. Its parade ranks third largest in the U.S.
The Gasparilla Pirate Fest
It has been celebrated for more than 100 years, and the anticipation, the pomp and the entertainment the pirate festival bring do not seem to wane. Each year more and more people are coming to Tampa for the Gasparilla Pirate Fest and to enjoy Tampa’s weather, the laidback lifestyle and its beaches. The festival started in 1904, inspired by a local legend about a Spanish naval officer and nobleman, José Gaspar, who was given the moniker Gasparilla. Though no concrete evidence supports that claim that there was a pirate by that name, it still became part of Tampa’s folklore, one that brings great fun to Tampa residents and visitors of all ages.
Ye Mystik Krewe of Gasparilla
The first krewe was created in the same year that the pirate festival first started. The Ye Mystik Krewe is composed of businessmen and civic leaders dedicated to hosting the event yearly and maintaining the traditions of Tampa. They act as the invading pirates, riding the Gasparilla ship. They don elaborate pirate costumes, decorate the ship and floats and spend for the beads they throw to the crowd, just like in Mardi Gras. The krewes hold several events throughout the year to raise money for charity and other causes they support.
Pirate Activities
Hundreds of thousands are again expected to welcome the “pirates” when they come to town. The Gasparilla ship sails from the Hillsborough Bay at 11:30 in the morning and will pass Seddon Channel and expected to arrive at one in the afternoon at the Tampa Convention Center dock.
The Gasparilla Invasion Brunch, a ticketed event will be held at the Tampa Convention Center from ten in the morning until one in the afternoon.
If you are not attending the brunch, then go early and find the best seats for the Gasparilla Parade of the Pirates. The parade starts at two in the afternoon and is expected to end about half past five in the afternoon. The parade starts from Bay to Bay Boulevard towards Bayshore Blvd. then on to Brorein St. before it heads north towards Ashley Drive. It ends when it has reached the junction of Ashley Drive and Cass Street. It’s a long route so you’ll have a great many choices of vantage points to watch the parade and catch plenty of beads. The whole day Street Fest is at Florida Avenue.
References:
Tampa Gov
Wikipedia
Gasparilla Pirate Fest
Talk Like a Pirate
Yahoo
YMKG
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