Gasparilla Pirate Fest

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Every January Tampa hosts the Gasparilla Pirate Festival, named for legendary pirate captain José Gaspar who operated out of the area. Ths history of Gasparilla in Tampa goes back over 100 years.

The invasion begins when the "Krewe" (made up of city denizens) arrives on a 165' long pirate ship, the Jose Gasparilla, in Tampa Bay and land near downtown Tampa. The mayor of Tampa then lends the key of the city to the pirate captain of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla and a parade ensues down Bayshore Boulevard, one of Tampa's major streets. The krewes throw beads, coins and other items while shooting blank pistols from floats during the parade. The average attendance for the event is over 400,000 people. "The 2003 event reported an economic impact of nearly 23 million dollars to Tampa."

Krewe memberships are much desired in many social circles in Tampa and many celebrate ethnic and cultural themes. I am personally a member of the South Tampa Chamber's Krewe of Seville.

The Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla is the oldest krewe involved in the parade, and members of the many krewes that now participate spend a great deal of money on beads and floats.

The main parade float between events

A week before the "invasion" and the main parade, there is a family-oriented Children's Parade and "Piratechnic Extravaganza" with fireworks launched over Hillsborough Bay. 2006's fireworks display included an impressive airborne element, where an imaginary sea battle took place between a pirate ship in the harbor and a plane which shot off fireworks while doing acrobatic maneuvers.

A few weeks after the invasion, there is a more adult-oriented Sant'Yago Knight Parade (also known as Night Gasparilla) in Ybor City held at night. Krewes have social events and parties throughout the year for members and hold philanthropic events for favored causes. The parade is broadcast every year on WFLA-TV, and has been since 1955.

Gasparilla Pirate Fest

Steve L. Vernon