Gasparilla Pirate Festival

For over 100 years pirates have invaded Tampa Bay. The unruly plunderers take over the city in honor of the legendary pirate Jose Gaspar.  The festival –"Gasparilla Pirate Fest," is one of the country's largest and most unique outdoor celebrations.  It begins when the world's only fully-rigged pirate ship sails into the heart of downtown Tampa.  Flanked by hundreds of pleasure craft and vessels of all shapes and sizes, the invasion is a formidable sight.  Built entirely of steel, the black-hulled Jose Gasparilla measures 165 feet in length and is topped by three masts that tower 100 feet above deck.  Tugboats tow the craft and its crew of 700 pirates with flags flying and cannons booming as the vessel makes its way up Hillsborough Bay and into downtown Tampa.
After the invasion, the Mayor hands over the keys to the city and Gaspar and his merry mates board a float and join another 130 krewes to display their "treasures" in a 3.5-mile parade down beautiful Bayshore Boulevard.
The history and name of this Tampa tradition traces back to the legendary antics of Jose Gaspar. Gaspar reputedly patrolled the waters of West Florida during the late 18^th century. A society columnist with The Tampa Tribune is credited with creating a May festival in 1904 that first incorporated a pirate-inspired theme. The original members of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla stormed Tampa on horseback before becoming seaworthy in 1911. The success of those early invasions prompted planners to move the celebration to its wintertime slot and encouraged the creation of additional events.
A host of activities including the invasion, brunch, parade and a street festival featuring local and national entertainment acts on several different stages draw thousands of people downtown.

Additional Admission Information: Free to the public. Reserved parade seats available for $24/person. $39/child, $49/adult for the buffet brunch at the Convention Center. $60/child, $70/adult for reserved seating at both the brunch and the parade. Shipping and handling fees apply. 

Group Discounts: Call (813) 353-8108 for tour group reservations.  Wholesale tax ID required for tour group discount.
Attendance:  500,000
No. yrs. Event has taken place: 103
Transportation/Parking: Paid parking is available in all city parking garages and at the Tampa Convention Center. Costs before 4pm are $4 and after 4 p.m. are $6. Some downtown streets will be closed for the parade route. Call the event office for information regarding the Gasparilla Shuttle which will operate between a remote parking location and downtown Tampa.
Event Office: EventMakers Corporation, Reserved Seating & Info: (813) 353-8108.

EVENT SCHEDULE:
Saturday, January 27, 2007:
10 a.m.: The Gasparilla Invasion Brunch begins and includes live entertainment and a reserved seat for the best view in Tampa of the historic invasion of the Pirates.
Street Festival begins (along Franklin Street from Whiting to Brorein) with live entertainment on three stages, and the Gasparilla Midway with games and rides.
11:30 a.m.: Gasparilla Flotilla sets sail from Ballast Point.
1 p.m.: The Jose Gasparilla docks at the Tampa Convention Center in downtown Tampa.
2:00 p.m.:  The parade begins at Bay to Bay Blvd., continues north along Bayshore Boulevard to the Platt Street bridge, continues east on Channelside Drive, turns North on Florida Ave. to Jackson where it will turn East and ends at Marion Street.
11 p.m.: Street Fest concludes.

This information is provided by the Tampa Bay Convention and Vistors Bureau.