The exploits of Jose Gaspar may be entirely myth. There was never a pirate colony in Tampa Bay. And celebrating the lifestyle of marauders who murdered for booty throughout the Caribbean, took women ransom and drank rum like water isn't exactly politically correct. But try convincing Bay area residents of such and you're liable to be taken prisoner for treachery by Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla and forced to walk the plank.Very much a reality, the New Orleans-style krewe has led invasions on Tampa since 1904, except for a few years of absence early on and the cancellation of Gasparilla during both World Wars.
Now in the age of marketing, the invasion is preceded by an imaginary sea battle sponsored by Red Baron Pizza. The purveyor of frozen pizza and pouches affords our local pirates the budget to fire pyrotechnics back and forth across Hillsborough Bay in a dramatic fight between the City of Tampa and Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla.
Titled the Gasparilla Piratechnic Extravaganza, the day's events take place from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, officially launching Gasparilla.
From noon to 4 p.m. there are bicycle and skating safety clinics.
A Children's Parade begins at 4:30 p.m. at Euclid Avenue and Bayshore Boulevard, and proceeds north to Howard Avenue and Bayshore Boulevard. There are bleacher seats for approximately 7,500 between Bay to Bay Boulevard and Rome Avenue. All are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The fireworks begin at 7 p.m. For this you may want to bring a blanket and find a spot along Bayshore's grassy park of a median. Just remember not to litter. Littering is very un-pirate-like.
The famous invasion itself takes place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. the following Saturday, with its notorious parade beginning at 1:45 p.m. on Bayshore near Bay to Bay Boulevard.
For more info on Gasparilla, call 813-353-8070.
This article appears in Jan 22-28, 2003.