Guides & Advice  : Florida : 
Tampa
 
Frommer's Guide
FEATURES AND EVENTS
• Tickled Pink: The Don CeSar Beach Resort and Spa
• Rejuvenate Your Spirit in South Florida's Fountain of Youth
• Mad About Manatees: Swim With Florida's Endangered Sea Mammals
• Slip-Sliding Away: Tampa's Adventure Island Water Park
• Tobacco's Loss is Tampa's Gain

> Back to Tampa main
More destinations:
Gasparilla Pirate Fest
by Tom Clynes
 Nuts and Bolts

Held Annually: Second Saturday in February

Locale: Tampa, Florida

Nearest Airport:
Tampa (TPA)

General Information:
Tampa/Hillsborough Convention and Visitors Association, tel. 800-448-2672, 813-223-2752

Every February, hundreds of unruly plunderers take over Tampa Bay. The three-day festival--whose centerpiece is a ship named after the mythical pirate José Gaspar--is one of the country's largest and most unique outdoor celebrations.

GasparillaThe Gasparilla Pirate Fest begins when the fully rigged pirate ship sails into Hillsborough Bay. With a crew of 700 "pirates," the black-hulled José Gasparilla measures 165 feet in length and is topped by three 100-foot masts. With flags flying and cannons booming, the craft is pulled along by tugboats and flanked by hundreds of pleasure craft of all shapes and sizes.

The pirates then come ashore, "invading" the city and displaying their "treasures" in a colorful 2.5-mile parade. The street festival continues with the Invasion Brunch, the Pirate's Chest Arts and Crafts show, the Gasparilla Midway, fireworks, and live entertainment throughout downtown Tampa.•

All articles are the exclusive property of Travelocity.com LP, and may not be reproduced in any format without Travelocity.com's express written permission.