Ready or not, here it comes…
Gasparilla 2009.For most of the Tampa Bay area, that word conjures thoughts of celebration, fun, and regional - if not national - recognition. But for those of us who live adjacent to the festivities, the word “Gasparilla” might just cause us to roll our eyes, shake our heads, and give us chills.
You know the drill.
Each winter, the city of Tampa holds a festival disguised as an invasion of pirates. Members of the local business elite dress as pirates, sail up the bay on a galleon, and berth in downtown Tampa, claiming the city as their own. The invasion ends with a parade in which leaders of the city escort the pirates from the southern end of Bayshore Boulevard back to the Tampa Convention Center. The celebrating (and drinking) starts early in the morning, before the pirates even land. And once the parade gets going, the noise, crowd, and debauchery really intensifies. Gasparilla is named for the legendary (and fictional?) Spanish pirate captain José Gaspar who operated out this area.
The festival began back in 1904 and has taken place nearly every year. Today over 400,000 people take part in the celebration, and all of downtown and Bayshore Blvd becomes a human log jam of revelry. It all takes place on Saturday, February 7, 2009.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
The Invasion
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 a.m. on Saturday, February 7, 2009 the Jose Gasparilla will 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, between Davis Islands 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.
Brunch - You can be among the first in the City to surrender to the pirates while encouraging the Mayor to relinquish the Key to the City! 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 entertainmentand a reserved seat with the best view in Tampa of the historic Gasparilla Invasion of the pirates.
Reserved tickets are $58 for adults, and $48 for children ages 3-12. Children two and under admitted free. Visit
GasparillaPirateFest.com for more information.
Parade of the Pirates
Having captured the City of Tampa, Jose Gaspar and his merry men share their wealth of beads, treasures and doubloons with the enthusiastic crowd along the 3.5 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.
The parade begins at the intersection of Bayshore Blvd. and Bay to Bay Blvd., moves north on Bayshore into downtown Tampa, turning east on the Platt Street Bridge. Parade continues east on Channelside Drive, turns north on Florida Avenue to Jackson Street, then turns east on Jackson, ending at Jackson and Marion Streets.
Admission is free, but you can get reserved seating for $28 per seat. Visit
GasparillaPirateFest.com for more information.
Street Festival
The streets of downtown Tampa will again host the Pirate Fest street festival along Florida Avenue, from Kennedy before the pirates invade the City and continues until long after the last pirate parades through the streets! The 2009 Pirate Fest Street Festival will feature stages of live entertainment, food, and the Gasparilla Midway – with games, rides and amusements for all ages.
Admission is free.Live Entertainment Stages
The 2009 Pirate Fest Street Festival features stages with live entertainment, food and fun.
Gasparilla Invasion Stage presented by Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino – Tampa, and sponsored in part by MIX 100.7 FM (Located at the corner of Platt & Bayshore in the Publix parking lot).
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Navy Pride Rock Band 11:45 a.m – 12:45 p.m.
Charlie Hotel 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
SkyCoasters Post Parade Mix 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Charlie Hotel 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. SkyCoasters
Gasparilla Pirate Fest Stage presented by Budweiser, and sponsored in part by 98 ROCK (Located at the corner of Florida & Brorein)
12 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. Cellfish
1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Uncovered
Post Parade Mix
5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. Basic Rock Outfi t
7:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. Carnival of Crue - “Motley Crue Tribute”
9:30 p.m. – 11 p.m. Highway to Hell - “AC/DC Tribute”
Gasparilla City Center Stage presented by Budweiser, and sponsored in part by
CENTRO, Telemundo and 92.5 Maxima FM. (Located at the corner of Florida &
Kennedy)
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. TICH and Voz Juvenil
Post Parade Mix
5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. Somos Musica
7:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. Point 6
9:30 p.m. – 11 p.m. Supernatural
Gasparilla Captain Morgan Channelside Bay Plaza Stage, sponsored in part by 93.3 FLZ (Located in the Channelside Bay Plaza Courtyard)
5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. Save the Radio
7:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. Late Night Brass
9:30 p.m. – 11 p.m. Rhythm Method
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