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The Gasparilla Pirate Fest takes place on January 27, 2024, from 9 a.m. – 10 p.m. with the parade of pirates from 2:30 – 5:30 p.m.

10 a.m. - 1 p.m. – Gasparilla Invasion Brunch - A Gasparilla brunch is being held at the Tampa Convention Center with limited seating. (Tickets are available for advanced purchase).
11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. – Gasparilla Invasion - The legendary Jose Gasparilla sails into the Tampa Convention Center basin along with a magnificent flotilla of hundreds of vessels and the notorious pirates of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla.
2- 5:30 p.m. - Gasparilla Parade of Pirates - Hundreds of pirates will march 4.5 miles along Bayshore Boulevard tossing beads along the way.
10 a.m. – 8 p.m. – Gasparilla Stage Performances - Live music and entertainment before, during and after the parade at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park located at Ashley Drive and Twiggs Street and at MacDill Park located at Ashley Drive and Whiting Street.

Avoid the Tampa Bay and City.

José Gaspar, also known by his nickname Gasparilla (supposedly lived c. 1756 – 1821), is a fictional Spanish pirate who terrorized the Gulf of Mexico from his base in southwest Florida during Florida's second Spanish period (1783 to 1821). Though details about his early life, motivations, and piratical exploits differ in various telling, they agree that the 'Last of the Buccaneers" was a remarkably active pirate who amassed a huge fortune by taking many prizes and ransoming many hostages during his long career and that he died by leaping from his ship rather than face capture by the U.S. Navy, leaving behind his still-hidden treasure.

While Gaspar is a popular figure in Florida folklore, there is no evidence that he actually existed. No contemporaneous mention of his life or exploits have been found in Spanish or American ship logs, court records, newspapers, or other archives, and no physical artifacts linked to Gaspar have been discovered in the area where he supposedly established his "pirate kingdom." The earliest known written mention of José Gaspar was a short biography included in an early 1900s promotional brochure for the Gasparilla Inn on Gasparilla Island at Charlotte Harbor, the author of which freely admitted that the dramatic tale was a work of fiction "without a true fact in it". Subsequent retellings of the Gaspar legend are based upon this fanciful account, including the accidental inclusion of José Gaspar in a 1923 book on real pirates that has caused ongoing confusion about his historical authenticity.

José Gaspar's legend is celebrated in Tampa, Florida during the annual Gasparilla Pirate Festival, which was first held in 1904.

Pirate fantasy.

As a native Floridian, I may have some pirate blood in me, as my search for the treasured booty is never ending

01
of 10
Pirates Rarely Buried Treasure
Some pirates buried treasure—most notably Captain William Kidd, who was at the time heading to New York to turn himself in and try to clear his name—but most never did. There were reasons for this. First of all, most of the loot gathered after a raid or attack was quickly divided up among the crew, who would rather spend it than bury it. Secondly, much of the “treasure” consisted of perishable goods like fabric, cocoa, food, or other things that would quickly become ruined if buried. The persistence of this legend is partly due to the popularity of the classic novel “Treasure Island,” which includes a hunt for buried pirate treasure.

02
of 10
Their Careers Didn't Last Long
Most pirates didn’t last very long. It was a tough line of work: many were killed or injured in battle or in fights amongst themselves, and medical facilities were usually non-existent. Even the most famous pirates, such as Blackbeard or Bartholomew Roberts, only were active in piracy for a couple of years. Roberts, who had a successful career as a pirate, was only active from 1719 to 1722.

03
of 10
They Had Rules and Regulations
If all you ever did was watch pirate movies, you’d think that being a pirate was easy: no rules other than to attack rich Spanish galleons, drink rum and swing around in the rigging. In reality, most pirate crews had a code that all members were required to acknowledge or sign. These rules included punishments for lying, stealing, or fighting on board. Pirates took these articles very seriously and punishments could be severe.

04
of 10
They Didn't Walk the Plank
Sorry, but this one is another myth. There are a couple of tales of pirates walking the plank well after the “Golden Age” ended, but little evidence to suggest that this was a common punishment before then. Not that pirates didn’t have effective punishments, mind you. Pirates who committed an infraction could be marooned on an island, whipped, or even “keel-hauled,” a vicious punishment in which a pirate was tied to a rope and then thrown overboard: he was then dragged down one side of the ship, under the vessel, over the keel and then back up the other side. Ship bottoms were usually covered with barnacles, which often resulted in very serious injuries in these situations.

05
of 10
A Good Pirate Ship Had Good Officers
A pirate ship was more than a boatload of thieves, killers, and rascals. A good ship was a well-run machine, with officers and a clear division of labor. The captain decided where to go and when, and which enemy ships to attack. He also had absolute command during battle. The quartermaster oversaw the ship’s operations and divided up the loot. There were other positions, including boatswain, carpenter, cooper, gunner, and navigator. Success on a pirate ship depended on these men carrying out their tasks efficiently and supervising those under their command.

06
of 10
The Pirates Didn't Limit Themselves to the Caribbean
The Caribbean was a great place for pirates: there was little or no law, there were plenty of uninhabited islands for hideouts, and many merchant vessels passed through. But the pirates of the “Golden Age” did not only work there. Many crossed the ocean to stage raids off the west coast of Africa, including the legendary “Black Bart” Roberts. Others sailed as far as the Indian Ocean to work the shipping lanes of southern Asia: it was in the Indian Ocean that Henry “Long Ben” Avery made one of the biggest scores ever: the rich treasure ship Ganj-i-Sawai.

07
of 10
There Were Women Pirates
It was extremely rare, but women did occasionally strap on a cutlass and pistol and take to the seas. The most famous examples were Anne Bonny and Mary Read, who sailed with “Calico Jack” Rackham in 1719. Bonny and Read dressed as men and reportedly fought just as well (or better than) their male counterparts. When Rackham and his crew were captured, Bonny and Read announced that they were both pregnant and thus avoided being hanged along with the others.

08
of 10
Piracy Was Better Than the Alternatives
Were pirates desperate men who could not find honest work? Not always: many pirates chose the life, and whenever a pirate stopped a merchant ship, it was not uncommon for a handful of merchant crewmen to join the pirates. This was because “honest” work at sea consisted of either merchant or military service, both of which featured abominable conditions. Sailors were underpaid, routinely cheated of their wages, beaten at the slightest provocation, and often forced to serve. It should surprise no one that many would willingly choose the more humane and democratic life on board a pirate vessel.

09
of 10
They Came From All Social Classes
Not all of the Golden Age pirates were uneducated thugs who took up piracy because they lacked a better way to make a living. Some of them came from higher social classes as well. William Kidd was a decorated sailor and very wealthy man when he set out in 1696 on a pirate-hunting mission: he turned pirate shortly thereafter. Another example is Major Stede Bonnet, who was a wealthy plantation owner in Barbados before he outfitted a ship and became a pirate in 1717: some say he did it to get away from a nagging wife.

10
of 10
Not All Pirates Were Criminals
During wartime, nations would often issue Letters of Marque and Reprisal, which allowed ships to attack enemy ports and vessels. Usually, these ships kept the plunder or shared some of it with the government that had issued the letter. These men were called “privateers,” and the most famous examples were Sir Francis Drake and Captain Henry Morgan. These Englishmen never attacked English ships, ports, or merchants and were considered great heroes by the common folk of England. The Spanish, however, considered them pirates.

Native Floridian here and have never been. I don't get the point of spending all day in the heat with a bunch of drunks pissing and puking while a lot of trucks loaded with idiots goes by.

George W wrote: ↑Sat Jan 27, 2024 5:22 pm Native Floridian here and have never been. I don't get the point of spending all day in the heat with a bunch of drunks pissing and puking while a lot of trucks loaded with idiots goes by.

You'd not want to go to the New Year's Day Mummers Parade.



Spending all day in the cold ...

P5 Guy wrote: ↑Sun Jan 28, 2024 4:30 am

George W wrote: ↑Sat Jan 27, 2024 5:22 pm Native Floridian here and have never been. I don't get the point of spending all day in the heat with a bunch of drunks pissing and puking while a lot of trucks loaded with idiots goes by.

You'd not want to go to the New Year's Day Mummers Parade.



Spending all day in the cold ...

You're not wrong.
The fact that I don't understand parades probably has a lot to do with it. I just don't get the point in general.

Where would the HOBO BAND get seen if not for parades?

P5 Guy wrote: ↑Sat Jan 27, 2024 1:27 am 01
of 10
Pirates Rarely Buried Treasure

11
Of 12
Inconceivable

12
Of 12
You keep using that word, I do not think it means what you think it means!

Sorry. Could not resist. Blame my medications.

Sounds like Fantasy Fest in Key West, except the guys are still in the closet.

Pass.