For nearly 100 years pirates have invaded Tampa Bay. Every February, the unruly plunderers take over the city in honors of the mythical legendary pirate Jose Gaspar. The "Gasparilla Pirate Fest," is one of the country's largest and most unique outdoor celebrations. It begins when the world's only fully-rigged pirate ship sails into the heart of Tampa. Flanked by hundreds of pleasure craft and vessels of all shapes and sizes, the invasion is a formidable sight. Built entirely of steel, the black-hulled "Jose Gasparilla" measures 165 feet in length and is topped by three masts that tower 100 feet above deck. Tugboats tow the craft and its crew of 700 pirates with flags flying and cannons booming as the vessel makes its way along Hillsborough Bay.

The history and name of this Tampa tradition traces back to the legendary antics of Jose Gaspar. Gaspar reputedly patrolled the waters of West Florida during the late 18th century. A society columnist with the Tampa Tribune is credited with creating a May festival in 1904 that first incorporated a pirate-inspired theme. The original members of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla stormed Tampa on horseback before becoming seaworthy in 1911. The success of those early invasions prompted planners to move the celebration to its winter time slot and encouraged the creation of additional events.

For details, please visit the official Gasparilla website.


THE GASPARILLA "PIRATECHNIC" EXTRAVAGANZA
AND
THE CHILDREN'S GASPARILLA PARADE!
January 19, 2008

In preparation of the Gasparilla Centennial celebration scheduled for 2004, a new element was added to the Gasparilla Celebration in Tampa in 2002 …

This alcohol-free, family event is held annually on the Saturday before the Invasion and Parade, and features the Children's Gasparilla Parade and one of the largest fireworks presentations in the country!

For details, please visit the official Gasparilla website.


KREWE OF SANT' YAGO KNIGHT PARADE
February 16, 2008

The streets of downtown Tampa and Ybor City come ablaze when hundreds of floats masked with lights and loaded with bands and pirates fill the streets for the Sant'Yago Knight Parade. It's the city's biggest night parade and named for the Krewe of the Knights of Sant'Yago, a 250 member group that has its roots in the ninth-century Spanish Brotherhood of the Royal Order of St. James. The krewe designed the parade as a way to enhance and perpetuate Tampa’s strong Latin heritage.

For details, please visit the official Knight Parade website.

For additional information E-Mail us at: 
MaverickKreweInfo@yahoo.com