Gasparilla Pirate Festival
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Image:Downtown Tampa and Convention Center During Gasparilla Pirate Fest 2003.jpg
Every January Tampa hosts the Gasparilla Pirate Festival, named for legendary pirate captain José Gaspar who operated out of the area. 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." [1]
Krewe memberships are much desired in many social circles in Tampa and many celebrate ethnic and cultural themes. 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.
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.
History
Gasparilla was first held in May 1904 in Tampa Bay but the invasion originated on horseback instead of by boat. In years past, a US Navy ship would be attacked by small boats throwing Cuban bread and black bean soup. The Navy would respond with fire hoses but would succumb to the Ybor City Navy, and then surrender to the Alcalde of Ybor City. The sailors would be treated to an evening on the town. This was discontinued after the September 11, 2001 attacks.
Images
 The Jose Gasparilla |
 Hundreds of boats watching the invasion |
 Downtown Tampa during Gasparilla |