Well shiver me timbers, guess what time of year is it? It's almost time for the very popular Gasparilla Pirate Festival held in Tampa every year at this time. We are just a few weeks away, its scheduled to blast off on Saturday January 20th and 27th. But do you know why we celebrate Gasparilla?
The name comes from a pirate named Jose Gaspar who pirated Florida's waters during the late 18th, early 19th century. Thinking of disbanding, they decided on seizing one last ship. Little did they know the ship was a US Navy warship disguised. There was a deadly battle, ending with Jose Gaspar's death. In 1904 city officials adopted the event as a yearly citywide celebration. It wasn't till Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla members put on masks, and on horseback staged a fake pirate invasion. It was so popular it turned into the huge Gasparilla event we have today.
So what can you see and do during this widely popular festival? Here is a list of events with the festival starting at 11:30 am with the Gasparilla invasion.
The Children's Gasparilla Parade is a family friendly event featuring a parade, marching band, performers, and beads! It is on January 20th from 3:30 - 6:00 and goes down Bay To Bay Boulevard to Edison Avenue.
The Pirate Fest starts with the Jose Gasparilla sailing into Tampa Bay firing off cannons at 11:30 am. This is the world's only fully rigged pirate ship. He will then dock at the Tampa Convention Center at 1:00 pm. This is when you will see the mayor handing over the key to the city. The parade starts at 2:00 pm. This is the nation's 3rd largest parade, with street performers, food and music. The parade features 103 floats this year and 3 marching bands. This year there will be even more stages set up for entertainment. This is a free event, but you buy reserved seating for $45-60.
The Gasparilla Distance Classic is an annual race that takes place February 24th. It starts at Brorein St. and Franklin St., at 6:45 am and benefits many charities in the bay area.
The Gasparilla Festival of the Arts is a free art festival that takes place March 4-5 at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park.
All of the events finally end with on Sunday March 4th at the Channelside Plaza when the mayor demands the return of the key to the city and the pirates returning to the sea. It all winds up at 6:30 pm with a final cannon salute.
Keep in mind this event gets very crowded. It drew 300,000 people last year. So dress up like a pirate, have fun and be safe!
 |
| SHIVER ME TIMBERS IT'S ALMOST TIME FOR THE INCREDIBLE GASPARILLA PIRATE FESTIVAL |
No comments:
Post a Comment