Once again, Gasparilla pirates invaded Tampa Bay on a beautiful Saturday afternoon on January 28. Cheered by the warm, sunny weather, anticipation and excitement filled the crowds as they teemed along the Bayshore awaiting the parade.
A historic part of the Tampa community, the first festival dates back to 1904 when a fake pirate invasion was scheduled to honor the great Jose Gaspar. From that point on, the Gasparilla Festivities have continued to grow bigger and better every year. The original forty members in the “Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla” have now reached more than 700 members.
This year numerous Krewes rode on floats, throwing beads out to the crowd who kept themselves busy cheering, celebrating, and trying to catch the thrown in the air as each float passed.
