Shake off the winter blues with a go to to Tampa, Florida, for the annual Gasparilla Pirate Fest. Held in January, this annual celebration of all issues pirate attracts a whole lot of hundreds of like-minded revelers to the town.
The legend and historical past of Gasparilla
The stuff of each youngster’s creativeness, this annual occasion celebrates José “Gasparilla” Gaspar, a Spanish naval officer who turned to a lifetime of piracy within the late 1700s. In accordance with legend, Gaspar and his buccaneers robbed and pillaged for nearly 40 years aboard his stolen flagship, the Floridablanca.
His exploits got here to a tragic finish when, to keep away from being captured by the schooner USS Enterprise, Gaspar wrapped himself within the ship’s anchor chains earlier than throwing himself overboard, shouting, “Gasparilla dies by his personal hand, not the enemy’s!”
Since 1904, the residents of Tampa Bay have adopted the legend as their very own and enthusiastically taken half within the Gasparilla Pirate Fest. Downtown lodges, eating places and nightclubs, in addition to these within the close by Ybor Metropolis and SoHo neighborhoods, are full of revelers dressed as pirates. Everywhere in the metropolis, pre-parties and post-parties will final the complete weekend.
The Gasparilla Pirate Fest is a collection of occasions that takes place on the final Saturday in January. You’ll be able to attend one or all the occasions, however it could take just a little planning to benefit from the day absolutely. Beneath are some professional suggestions that will help you profit from your expertise.
Pirate invasion
The day begins at 11:30 a.m., when a totally rigged reproduction of the Floridablanca, thronging with thirsty swashbucklers, seems on the mouth of Hillsborough Bay. Because the ship makes her solution to “invade” downtown Tampa, she is joined by a whole lot of chartered and personal vessels — a colourful and spectacular flotilla that in the end docks on the Tampa Conference Middle. After an intense volley of cannon hearth, the pirates take over Tampa, and the mayor palms over the important thing to the town.
Top-of-the-line methods to look at the invasion is to hitch the flotilla! Strive crusing in model on the Yacht Starship or hitch a carry on the Pirate Water Taxi. You can also hire your individual boat, however this selection shouldn’t be suggested until you might be an skilled skipper who can navigate a crowded waterway.
One other approach to participate is to purchase a ticket to the Gasparilla Invasion Brunch. This feature provides a scrumptious buffet to get pleasure from when you await the pirates to reach at 1 p.m. Whereas it’s just a little expensive at $140 per individual, the advantages are a front-row seat to all of the motion and a full stomach earlier than the partying actually will get began.
A 3rd choice is to reach early to discover a spot with a superb view of the bay. Choices embrace alongside the Tampa Riverwalk in entrance of the Sail Plaza, on the Harbor Island Bridge, or on Harbor Island in entrance of American Social and Jackson’s Bistro.
Parade of Pirates
The second act to the day’s occasions is the Parade of Pirates that takes place from 2 p.m. to six p.m. Consisting of greater than 100 elaborate floats, the rowdy procession follows a 4.5-mile route alongside scenic Bayshore Boulevard and thru downtown Tampa earlier than ending at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. In 2021, an estimated 200,000 had been in attendance, making Gasparilla the third-largest annual parade in the USA.
It’s essential to say a great spot — not simply to benefit from the parade however to safe your share of the pirate’s booty. To have fun their seize of Tampa, the pirates generously share their wealth by flinging colourful beads, cash and different unique treasures to the crowds. If beads are your jam, you’ll need to make your approach towards the start of the parade route to make sure the most effective booty choice.
When you don’t need to stand round for hours ready for the parade, you possibly can buy bleacher seats. When you go this route, plan forward as a result of these seats can and do promote out.
Pirate Fest
One other parade-viewing choice is to catch it on the finish of the route in downtown Tampa, the place the Pirate Fest shall be in full swing. You’ll be able to move the time with stay music and loads of foods and drinks distributors to maintain you fed, watered and entertained when you await the parade to reach.
The 2023 Pirate Fest is being expanded to incorporate areas at MacDill and Curtis Hixon parks, with festivities scheduled to final till 8 p.m. When you select this selection, be forewarned: You received’t see the parade till about 4 p.m., so tempo your self if you wish to keep away from too many visits to the moveable bogs.
Gown the half
It’s not simply the invading pirate krewes that like to decorate up. Locals will use virtually any excuse (this being the most effective one) to decorate like pirates too. When you actually need to get into character, one solution to get outfitted is to take a look at Pirate Fashions. The proprietor, Tiger Lee, is devoted to remodeling atypical landlubbers into genuine pirates. Whether or not you purchase on-line or go to his Tampa location, yow will discover every part right here to outfit the trendy pirate from head to toe.
The right way to plan your journey
When you’re coming in from out of city, the most effective place to remain is downtown. There are many lodges to select from, solely steps from the motion. For instance, the Tampa Marriott Water Street is adjoining to the location of the Pirate Invasion. Barely inexpensive is the Hotel Tampa Riverwalk, positioned alongside the parade route and subsequent to the Pirate Fest. Costs will lower and availability will improve farther out from the occasion. Guide early as occupancy charges will skyrocket because the date nears.
If you should journey downtown, the best choice is to take a cab or shared trip service from the place you might be staying (be careful for surge pricing), or you possibly can benefit from the park and trip choices supplied by the city bus system. Parking on the occasion shouldn’t be advisable. It’s costly, arduous to search out and can virtually actually embrace a prolonged stroll.
What concerning the children?
As one would possibly anticipate from an occasion whose main sponsors are the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Bud Gentle and Captain Morgan rum, there may be loads of grownup habits at Gasparilla. Whereas it’s completely protected to convey the children, they may have extra enjoyable on the PG-rated Gasparilla Children’s Parade, held the week earlier than.
However that’s a narrative for an additional day. Aaarrgh!
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