A tried-and-true Tampa Bay tradition, the Gasparilla Pirate Fest draws hundreds of thousands of locals to Bayshore Boulevard for a day of bead diving, beer drinking and general uninhibited carousing. Sure, we're honoring a notorious villain who may or may not have really existed, but who cares? Jose Gaspar gives us an excuse to let loose, and in a variety of ways. The Gasparilla Invasion Brunch features the best seats in town for fest attendees who want to watch the invasion. Tickets include reserved seating along the Riverwalk at Tampa Convention Center, an ample brunch buffet, a cash bar and live entertainment. (10 a.m.-1 p.m., 333 S. Franklin St., Tampa, $55 adults/$45 ages 3-12; children two and younger are admitted for free). The Gasparilla Invasion kicks off at 11:30 a.m., at which point the fully-rigged, cannon-firing Jose Gasparilla sails into Hillsborough Bay, with a throng of pleasure crafts following in hot pursuit. The flotilla makes its way across the Bay and into Seddon Channel (toward downtown Tampa), docks at the Tampa Convention Center by 1 p.m., and the Captain of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla claims the key to the City of Tampa shortly after. After invading Tampa, Ye Mystic Krewe pirates fall into step behind the Gasparilla Parade of Pirates, which features more than 90 colorful floats, 14 marching bands and 50 other participating Krewes. All toss an abundance of beads and coins to the crowd situated along the four-mile parade route. The route begins at the intersection of Bayshore and Bay to Bay boulevards, proceeds north on Bayshore into downtown Tampa, turns east on the Platt Street Bridge, continues east on Channelside Drive, turns north on Florida Avenue to Jackson Street, then turns east on Jackson, disbanding at Jackson and Marion streets. (2 p.m.-5:30 p.m., free admission [$24 reserved bleacher seating]). The Gasparilla Pirate Fest Street Festival occurs throughout the day along Florida Avenue from Kennedy Boulevard to Channelside Drive. The festivities — a slew of food vendors, three stages of live music and a Gasparilla Midway of games, rides and amusements — begins before the invasion and continues long after the parade concludes. For more info, visit gasparillapiratefest.com, or call 813-353-8108.

This article appears in Jan 23-29, 2008.