Bucs Co-Owner To Lead Parade Of Pirates As Grand Marshal

TAMPA, FL — Tampa Bay Buccaneers co-owner Darcie Glazer Kassewitz will represent two-time NFL world champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers as grand marshal for the 2022 Seminole Hard Rock Gasparilla Pirate Fest on Saturday, Jan. 29.

Kassewitz has been the driving force behind many of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ innovative, forward-thinking fan engagement and community outreach initiatives, retail activation and facility design. She is also focused on ensuring that the Buccaneers and the Glazer Vision Foundation, which is committed to full-treatment vision correction for children in Tampa Bay, create a lasting, positive impact on the Tampa Bay community.

The announcement made by Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, parade sponsor Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa and organizer EventFest, also introduced Jalem Robinson, of the Tampa-based nonprofit Brothers United Building Brothers Alliance (B.U.B.B.A.) as this year's honorary community hero.

"When we look for a grand marshal or community hero, we aim to find someone or something that reflects the same excitement, strength and passion for community that we hold dear," said Capt. Peter Lackman of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, which founded the Gasparilla parade in 1904 and developed it into one of the country's biggest parades. "With both our champion Buccaneers and Jalem Robinson, we find a drive for success and commitment to excellence that helps make our city great. We look forward to welcoming both to the 2022 Gasparilla Parade of Pirates."

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"At Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa, we always love a big winner," said Steve Bonner, president of the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa. "There's no doubt that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a great source of pride for our community, and we're thrilled to honor their 2020 championship as they march into the playoffs yet again."

Led by seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady, the Buccaneers became the first team in NFL history to play and win a Super Bowl in their home stadium. Including the postseason, the team finished the 2020 season with eight consecutive wins, the longest winning streak in team history.
The team success continued in 2021 when the Buccaneers set a franchise record with 13 regular season wins, clinching the organization's first NFC South Divisional title since 2007.

The Buccaneers will be joined by B.U.B.B.A. CEO and founder Jalem Robinson. A Tampa native and Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University alumnus, Robinson has dedicated himself to improving the lives of young men of color. His organization, B.U.B.B.A., helps educate, engage and empower young boys through mentorship and one-on-one events, with a focus on forging relationships between youth and adults.

In addition to his work with the nonprofit, Robinson has served on the State Attorney's Community Council, focusing on juvenile justice and diversion programs for youth. He also currently serves as the director of community collaboration for Metropolitan Ministries.

Robinson's organization, B.U.B.B.A., helps educate, engage and empower young boys through mentorship and one-on-one events, with a focus on forging relationships between youth and adults.

"Jalem is someone who is out in the Tampa Bay community selflessly working on behalf of families and is truly worthy of this recognition," said city of Tampa director of community engagement, Janelle McGregor. "He understands that our young men need more than guidance. He provides them with an opportunity to be heard, connections to positive role models, and empowering experiences to propel them into the next phase of their life."

The Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla Invasion and Parade of Pirates ranks as the third-largest parade in the United States, attracting half a million attendees annually, with a $40 million economic impact on Tampa Bay.

Gasparilla Invasion

Based on the myth of a notorious pirate who sailed Florida's west coast known as Jose Gaspar, the Gasparilla Invasion and Festivities will kick off Jan. 29 at 11:30 a.m. when the only fully rigged pirate ship in the world, the Jose Gasparilla, emerges at the south end of Hillsborough Bay.

The ship is traditionally followed by hundreds of small boats but due to a small craft advisory on Saturday, organizers are asking small craft to remain docked this year.

The Gasparilla Flotilla will make its way across Hillsborough Bay and into Seddon Channel between Davis Islands and Harbour Island where Ye Mystic Krew of Gasparilla will fire cannons and dock at the Tampa Convention Center around 1 p.m. to demand the keys to the city from Tampa Mayor Jane Castor.

The invasion is free to the public to watch from the shoreline. Those wanting a front-row seat to the festivities can obtain tickets to the Gasparilla Invasion Brunch at the Tampa Convention Center for $140 each here. A ticket for both the brunch and bleacher seat for the parade is $175.

Gasparilla Parade of Pirates

With the key to the city in hand, Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla will celebrate its victory with a Parade of Pirates down Bayshore Boulevard starting at 2 p.m. and ending around 6 p.m.

Kassewitz will ride at the front of the parade procession along with the team’s mascot, Capt. Fear, and will be followed by the Buccaneers' pirate ship float. They will lead more than 95 parade floats, 50 krewes, seven marching bands and the infamous Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla pirates down a 4.5-mile parade route along Tampa's famed Bayshore Boulevard.

The parade will begin at Bayshore and Bay to Bay boulevards, continue along Bayshore to Brorein Street, turn east on Brorein Street, then north on Ashley Drive where it will end at Ashley Drive and Cass Street.

The parade is free. Tickets for the Gasparilla Pirate Fest Scully Hospitality Area are $100 to $150 and bleacher seating along the parade route ranges from $65 to $75. Click here.

Gasparilla Pirate Fest

The Gasparilla Pirate Fest, sponsored by Bud Light Seltzer, will take place on feature stages along the Riverwalk in Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park and MacDill Park in downtown Tampa, offering live entertainment before and after the parade.

Pirate Fest Event Schedule

MacDill Park Stage sponsored by 98 Rock

• 10 to 11:30 a.m. — DJ/station music
• 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5:30 to 8 p.m. — Nova Rex

Curtis Hixon Park Stage sponsored by Latin/La Rumba 106.5 FM

• 9 to 10 a.m. — DJ/station music
• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Sol Caribe
• 5:30 to 8 p.m. — Caliente Band

Tampa's signature events, the Ashley Children's Gasparilla presented by Chick-fil-A Tampa Bay and Seminole Hard Rock Gasparilla Pirate Fest, are marketed, managed and produced annually by EventFest Inc.

Reserved seating tickets are still available for purchase at GasparillaTreasures.com. To purchase, visit GasparillaTreasures.com. You can also follow the Gasparilla revelry on social media @GasparillaTampa.