Tampa - Event

The Gasparilla Pirate Fest draws crowds of more than 500,000 for each spectacular event. The Floridian festival includes the "invasion" of Tampa by a fully working pirate ship and continues with a parade and various festivities.

Gasparilla Pirate Fest originated in 1904 when men invaded Tampa on horses due to their lack of a ship. Today the invasion takes place in style. The 164-foot-tall Jose Gasparilla pirate ship leads a flotilla of boats from the south end of Hillsborough Bay. The Mayor of Tampa Florida surrenders to the pirates, who then celebrate with a parade of up to 100 floats.

The parade begins at Bay to Bay Boulevard and Bayshore Boulevard and ends at Jackson and Marion Streets. The subsequent downtown street festival presents on-stage live music and entertainment.