To get AHN ready for the Gasparilla season, Tampa Police Department’s Officer Roy Paz came on January 13 to speak about safety during the biggest pirate parade of the year. He emphasized the importance of the Zero-Tolerance Policy with underage drinking, violence, tresspassing on private property and any other disruptive behavior.

“This month Beautiful Bayshore will be transformed into a huge extravanganza with beads, pirates and floats. We want everybody to come down and have a blast! A successful Gasparilla for us is one where no one gets hurt and no one gets arrested”, explained Officer Paz.

Academy will show their Gasparilla spirit beginning with the Children’s Gasparilla Parade on January 18, as they will  take part in the parade by riding a decorative float and giving beads to spectators.

The most “Piratical” invasion of the year will begin when Children’s Gasparilla Extravaganza hits Tampa Bay. On this day, children will be able to watch and even participate in the parade and also enjoy an air invasion and a spectacular fireworks display. They will be taking the same route that is used for the Gasparilla Pirate Invasion on January 25, 2014.

The day will begin with  the half mile Preschool’s Stroll where children five and under will have to opportunity to walk in the parade accompanied by a parent.

Soon after, the Children’s Parade will begin on Rome at 4:00p.m, and make it’s way down through Bayshore Boulevard. There will be beads, food, fun, and  over 100 floats featuring the “Krewe”. Childrens schools, marching bands, community groups, sports teams, and service organizations from around the Tampa Bay area will also participet in the festivities. In addition, for the second time in history, the Chidren’s Parade will be broadcasted live on Fox News Channel 13.

Later, there will be a “Piratechnic” Extravaganza beginning at 7:00p.m. This fireworks show is the biggest in Tampa lasting for over 20 minutes. The beautiful illuminations will be seen over the bay and will be choraeoraphed with music. This phenominal fireworks presentation is a reenactment of the Ye Mystic Krewe’s Invasion of Tampa.

The Children’s Gasparilla Extravanganza is a preview of what is to when Pirate Jose Gaspar docks his ship at the Tampa Convention Center the following week.