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The Pirates Are Coming! The Pirates Are Coming!

Gasparilla | Pirate | Pirate Fest

The Gasparilla pirate invasion starts Saturday (Jan. 30) at 11:30 a.m. The parade – third largest in the U.S. – starts at 2 p.m.

TAMPA – 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. More than 750 pirates 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 along Bayshore Drive, tossing beads and other booty to parade goers. The third largest parade in the United States, the Parade of Pirates is attended by an estimated 300,000 onlookers, many dressing as pirates for the occasion.

The festivities continue into the evening at the Gasparilla Pirate Fest Street Festival with live music, food and entertainment. Free.

For information about Gasparilla, go to visittampabay.com or facebook.com. For a copy of the parade route, road closures and other information, go to tampagov.net.

Tampa | Gasparilla | Gasparilla Pirate Fest | Jose Gaspar | Bayshore Boulevard | Parade | TB Reporter

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