Gasparilla was first held in May 1904 in Tampa Bay, but the invasion originated on horseback instead of by boat. In years past, a US Navy ship would be attacked by small boats throwing Cuban bread and black bean soup. The Navy would respond with fire hoses but would succumb to the Ybor City Navy, and then surrender to the Alcalde of Ybor City. The sailors would be treated to an evening on the town. This was discontinued after the September 11, 2001 attacks. However, the invasion itself continues as "Capt. Jose Gaspar" and his crew of "Pirates" "attack" Tampa, surrounded by hundreds of other boaters as they sail the Gasparilla Ship through Tampa Bay,land in Downtown Tampa and "take over the city."
The Gasparilla Pirate Festival is an annual celebration held in Tampa, FL in late January and is hosted by Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla. It celebrates the apocryphal legend of Jose Gaspar, a Spanish pirate captain who operated in SW Florida. The theme is an "invasion" by Gasparilla and his men. The krewes throw beads, coins and other items while shooting blank pistols from floats during the parade. The average attendance for the event is over 400,000 people. According to the event's official website, 2003's Gasparilla parade affected an economic impact of nearly 23 million dollars to Tampa.
Precious Cargo
A unique boutique for trendy tots.
In the International Plaza and Bay Street Mall in Tampa, Florida
Is now carrying Small Threads!
They've got Pirate Skivvies, Pirate onesies and tees and Mom Tattoo onesies and tees. Just in time for Gasparilla.
If you "arrgh" in the area, stop on by!
1 comment:
Wow! Proud of you. How did this come about?
Post a Comment