lifestyles
Invasion: Gasparilla Pirate Fest!
January 25, 2020 | Invasion starts at 11:00 a.m. | Parade at 2 p.m.
Named for pirate Jose Gaspar, who terrorized
the coastal waters of West Florida during the
late 18th and early 19th centuries, Tampa’s annual
Gasparilla celebration begins with the Gasparilla Invasion.
Over 750 swashbucklers invade Tampa Bay
aboard the majestic pirate ship “Jose Gasparilla,” kicking
off a full schedule of pirate-themed events.
Once ashore, the captain and his Mystic Krewe celebrate their
takeover of the city with a four-mile long Parade of Pirates, unloading
untold Gasparilla treasures for visitors and locals to plunder. The third
largest parade in the United States, the Parade of Pirates is attended by
300,000 onlookers, many donning period-themed pirate garb.
The festivities continue into the evening at the Gasparilla Pirate Fest
Street Festival with live music, food and entertainment. Free. Reserved
seating $45 - 60 a person.
Children's Gasparilla Parade
Saturday, January 18th, 2020 | 3:30pm - 6:00pm
Mateys of all ages jump and shout for beads as over 100 parade
floats make their way down Tampa Bay’s Bayshore Boulevard. Since
1947, families, friends and neighbors bring their own krewes out to take
in Gasparilla’s Children’s Parade.
The parade is all about elaborate floats, impeccably dressed
krewes, booming marching bands, whirling dancers, and the familiar
faces of schools and community organizations.
This year’s parade begins at Bay to Bay Boulevard and Bayshore,
ending along Edison Ave., nearly a mile-and-a-half away. It ends, of
course, with a bang.What pirate parade would be complete without
some monstrous “pirate-technic” explosions? Take a gander as they
recreate the battle between Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla and Tampa.
The pirates win every year, arghhh! Free event.
FLORIDA WOMEN MAGAZINE 813.682.9364 DECEMBER 2019 • 27
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