The Majestic “Krewe of the Jose Gasparilla” Conquers Tampa... Again!
A fleet of rowdy pirates armed only with mock canons and pistols and arms full of beads invades Tampa Bay and conquers the city. This scene plays itself out every year, and on this day, Tampa’s most respected citizens become marauding pirates–if just for a day.
The event is the annual “Gasparilla Pirate Invasion and Boat Parade.” This year, on January 30, under a cold, gray sky that threatened rain and small craft advisories, the boat parade went on as scheduled. Fortunately, despite the combination of poor weather conditions, (non-Auxiliary) vessels too close for comfort and a high rate of alcohol consumption, no serious mishaps were reported.
Planning for this event begins nearly a year ahead of the date between a number of agencies including the Coast Guard, the City of Tampa, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, and law enforcement and other agencies from throughout Florida. The “Gasparilla Pirate Festival” is an annual celebration held each year in Tampa beginning in late January. It celebrates the legend of José Gaspar (Gasparilla), allegedly a Spanish pirate captain who operated in Southwest Florida.
