Guide to Tampa’s 2023 Gasparilla pirate parade: parking, schedule … – Tampa Bay Times
Saturday’s Gasparilla Parade of Pirates is a uniquely Tampa event, created by metropolis leaders Greater than 100 yrs in the past as A method to lure visitors. It labored. Some 300,000 People are anticipated to line Bayshore Boulevard as Greater than 150 floats, bands and numerous krewes toss beads and trinkets into The gang.
It started with a fictional pirate, Jose Gaspar. The pageant was based in 1904 by Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, a excellent bunch of Tampa residents who to Right now are nonetheless the organizers of the event the place pirates “invade” The metropolis. Pirate costumes Shall be worn by each The gang and the krewes. The environment Shall be loud with music, cannon hearth and whooping revelers who will discover alcohol stations all alongside the parade route.
The all-male, all-white founders of Gasparilla bear little resemblance to today’s roster of Greater than 60 krewes that now embrace Latin, feminine and Black krewes and completely different ethnic, cultural and historic themes.
A pirate with Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla palms out beads By way of the Gasparilla Parade of Pirates alongside Bayshore Boulevard in 2022. The parade reflips Jan. 28. [ LUIS SANTANA | Occasions (2022) ]
Saturday’s schedule
Pirate Invasion: From 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, the absolutely rigged pirate ship Jose Gasparilla (truly a barge dressed up as a pirate ship That is pulled by tug boats) will lead a dramatic flotilla of lots of Of particular personal and police boats. The boats will emerge On the south finish of Hillsborough Bay with cannons firing As a Outcome of the flotilla travels throughout the bay into Seddon Channel and docks On the Tampa Convention Focus on 1 p.m. Then the mayor will Hand over The important factor to The metropolis.
Parade of Pirates: Elaborate floats and krewes Shall be showering the streets with beads and treaconstructives. The parade Shall start at Bay to Bay and Bayshore boulevards and finish at Cass Road and Ashley Drive. It runs from 2 To six p.m.
Pirate Fest: This yr brings an expanded Pirate Fest Which will Happen alongside the Riverstroll in downmetropolis Tampa. The event will function two levels with stay leisure pre- and submit-parade in Curtis Hixon Park and MacDill Park. 9 a.m. To eight p.m.
Ideas
Parking: Roads Across the parade route start closing Friday Evening time. City garages cost $5 to $20 per car on parade day. Notice that many garages tfinish to Refill by 10:30 a.m. The metropolis of Tampa has launched their 2023 Parking Bulletin. which lists the names And prices of native downmetropolis garages at tampa.gov. The free TECO line streetcar Shall be out there from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. working between Ybor and downmetropolis. For $4 (money solely) You will get an all-day move for the HART park-and-journey decisions. HART will current free bus shuttle service from Dick Greco Plaza, 301 Channelfacet Drive, from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Extra information on transit is at gohart.org.
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Alcohol: Moist zones Shall be Arrange alongside the parade route and in Curtis Hixon Park, however open containers are prohibited outfacet these areas.
Plan your day: Visitors will start getting busy as early as 9 a.m., so permit further time To Search out parking To have The power to stroll or journey A motorcycle to your vacation spot. Pack some sunscreen, water, money, hand sanitizer and snacks. Virtually every bar in South Tampa hosts a “kegs and eggs” event that morning. Veteran paradegoers glug sports activities drinks Full of electrolytes the Evening time earlier than because they know dehydration is a hazard.
Loos: There are Greater than 1,000 moveable bogs lining Bayshore Boulevard, so maintain out of the bushes. That’s a constructive method To draw The eye of a police officer. You’d possibly furtherly use the restrooms at Publix, 243 Bayshore Blvd., Hyde Park Village’s public restrooms on the west facet of Snow Avenue, and Kate Jackson Park at Rome and Snow avenues.
Getting loot: Krewes Shall be tossing mild beads, medallions and foam prizes Similar to footballs. The heavy and collectible signature beads and necklaces are handed out to The gang in particular person for the particular persons up entrance. Be conscious that By The objective the floats flip onto Ashley Road, currents are dwindling. You will Have The power to typically get the higher hand by bringing a submiter or white board To write down down your favourite krewe names As a Outcome of they move you by on the parade route. It might draw their consideration for more beads and or particular currents Similar to bracelets or particularty beads.
What to put on: Saucy lads and lasses Shall be sporting tricorner hats, fishnet stockings, stripes, skull equipment and puffy shirts. But boots made for strolling are a should.
Textual content material alerts: For important Gasparilla event updates, safety tips and traffic alerts, text GASPARILLA To eight88-777.