Gasparilla Pirate Festival in Tampa
January 7th, 2010
Tampa, FL – Arrrrrgh! Maties, Once again its time for the Gasparilla Pirate Festival in Tampa. Hosted by Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla and the City of Tampa, the annual festival celebrates the legend of Jose Gaspar(Gasparilla), a Spanish pirate. The invasion begins Gasparilla and his krewes arrives on the 165′ Jose Gaspar, in Tampa Bay and land near downtown Tampa. The mayor then lends the key of the city to the pirate captain and a parade begins down Bayshore Boulevard The krewes throw beads, coins and other items while shooting blank pistols from the floats.
Children’s Gasparilla Extravaganza – Jan 23
The 2010 Children’s Gasparilla Parade, scheduled for Saturday, January 23, 2010, 11 a.m. – 7:30 p.m., is a signature component of the Gasparilla Extravaganza, an alcohol-free, family event which annually launches the Gasparilla festival season in Tampa. This parade takes place along beautiful Bayshore Boulevard and gives pint-sized pirates the opportunity to stroll, march and ride up part of the same route as the historic Gasparilla Parade of the Pirates, scheduled for the following Saturday. Reserved bleacher tickets for the Children’s Gasparilla Parade are $16 per person, tax included, and are available on-line at www.GasparillaExtravaganza.com or by phone by calling EventFest’s Gasparilla Ticket Reservation Line at (813) 251-8844 in Tampa.
“The Children’s Gasparilla Extravaganza has quickly become one of the premier family events in the country,” said Darrell Stefany, President of EventFest, Inc. “We are delighted that Caspers Company has named McDonald’s our first ever title sponsor of this new family event tradition in Tampa Bay.”
The Gasparilla Invasion – Jan 30
The legendary pirate, Jose Gaspar, and his band of marauding buccaneers return to Tampa to reenact the historic pirate invasion, which began in 1904. At 11:30 am on Saturday,January 30, 2010 the Jose Gasparilla will magically appear at the south end of Hillsborough Bay. The ship is met by a multitude of pleasure crafts all intent on defending the City of Tampa. They quickly see the error of their ways and join the Captain and his Krewe’s flotilla. The Gasparilla Flotilla then makes its way north across Hillsborough Bay and into Seddon Channel (the channel between Davis Island and Harbour Island).
The Gasparilla Flotilla, which is led by YMKG’s Jose Gasparilla and accompanied by thousands of crafts, is a spectacle like no other as it makes its way up Seddon Channel towards downtown Tampa. Amidst a volley of cannon fire, the City is defenseless as the Jose Gasparilla docks at the Tampa Convention Center at 1 p.m. The Mayor surrenders the Key to the City of Tampa into the hands of the Captain of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla at approximately 1:05 p.m.
Following another successful invasion of Tampa, the Pirates gather on Bayshore Boulevard for a victory parade, which begins at 2:00 p.m. at Bay to Bay and Bayshore.
When: Saturday, January 30, 2010
Time: 11:30 am – 1 p.m.
Place: Begins at the south end of Hillsborough Bay, sails north to Seddon Channel (between Davis Island and Harbour Island), continues North and docks at The Tampa Convention at 1 p.m.
The Gasparilla Invasion Brunch – Jan 30
Be among the first in the City to surrender to the pirates while encouraging the Mayor to relinquish the Key to the City! The legendary pirate, Jose Gaspar, and his band of marauding buccaneers will once again return to Tampa to reenact the pirate invasion of the City which began in 1904. The Tampa Convention Center will host the Gasparilla Invasion Brunch. This is your opportunity for reserved seating along the Tampa Convention Center’s Riverwalk. The Jose Gasparilla will sail up Seddon Channel and dock “table side” at the Convention Center.
This colorful event includes a buffet brunch, live entertainment and a reserved seat with the best view in Tampa of the historic Gasparilla Invasion of the pirates, presented by Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla.
Time: 10:00 am – 1 p.m.
Place: Tampa Convention Center, 333 S. Franklin St., Tampa, FL 33602,Parking is available at the Tampa Convention Center and throughout downtown, but plan to arrive early as parking fills up quickly for the event.
Menu: Buffet Brunch
Note: A cash bar will be provided at this function.
Reserved Tickets: $63 ADULT, $53 CHILD (ages 3-12; children two and under admitted free) Reserved seating in tables of 10. Tax included. Shipping and handling fees apply.
Gasparilla Parade of the Pirates – Jan 30
The Captain of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla and his band of marauding buccaneers, having captured the City of Tampa, share their wealth of beads, treasures and doubloons with the enthusiastic crowd along the 3.8 mile parade route.
The Gasparilla Parade of the Pirates consists of over 130 units, including over 90 colorful floats, 14 marching bands, 50 participating Krewes and, of course, those infamous YMKG pirates.
Time: 2 p.m. – approx. 5:30 p.m.
Route: The parade begins at Bay to Bay Boulevard and Bayshore Boulevard. It continues along Bayshore Boulevard to Brorein Street, turns east on Brorein Street, then north on Ashley Drive. The parade ends at Cass Street & Ashley Drive
Admission: Free
Reserved Tickets: $28 per seat, all ages (children two and under admitted free) Tax included. Shipping and handling fees apply.
Gasparilla Pirate Fest Street Festival – Jan 30
The streets of downtown Tampa will again host the Pirate Fest street festival along Florida Avenue, from Kennedy Boulevard to Channelside Drive. The merriment begins before the pirates invade the City and continues until long after the last pirate parades through the streets!
The 2010 Pirate Fest Street Festival will feature stages of live entertainment, food, and the Gasparilla Midway – with games, rides and amusements for all ages.
Time: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Location: Downtown Tampa, along Ashley Drive. from Kennedy Blvd. to Cass Street
Admission: Free
Entertainment Venues
Gasparilla Pirate Fest Stage
COLLECTIVE SOUL is scheduled to perform in the newly opened Curtis Hixon Park located along Tampa’s Riverwalk at Zack and Ashley in downtown Tampa beginning at 8 p.m. Admission to Tampa’s Gasparilla festivities, including all Pirate Fest concerts is free.
Gasparilla Invasion Stage
Bayshore Boulevard & Platt Street in the Publix Supermarket parking lot
Gasparilla Hyatt Regency Stage
Tampa Street & Whiting Street
For more information visit GasparillaExtravaganza.com.
