Gasparilla Children's Parade 2018: What You Need To Know

TAMPA, FL -- Pint-sized pirates will be out in force searching for treasure and collecting loot when Tampa presents its annual Gasparilla Children’s Parade Saturday, Jan. 20.

The parade, featuring more than 100 Buccaneer-themed floats along with marching bands, dancers, street entertainers and pirate krewes will kick off at 3:30 p.m. at Bayshore Boulevard and Bay to Bay. The family-friendly, alcohol-free parade will continue down Bayshore Boulevard for 1 ½ miles to Edison Avenue.

This Gasparilla event is focused on kids who are invited to don their own pirate garb and beg for beads and other booty from parade participants.

Bring earplugs for little guys who frighten easily. The parade, a Tampa Bay tradition since 1947, will end with a legendary bang as Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla fires its first warning shots from cannons in the annual mock battle to take over Tampa just as the fictional pirate Jose Gaspar attempted to do in the 1800s.

There is reserved bleacher seating available for the parade at $38 per ticket. Providing the seats do not sell out, guests can purchase bleacher seats the day of the parade for an additional $5.

Other events for kids on Saturday include the Lowry Park Zoo Preschooler's Pirate Stroll and a Bicycle Rodeo, where kids will be fitted with a free bike helmet. Vendors and children's activities will be available along Bayshore starting at 11 a.m. And the day will conclude with a giant fireworks display at 7 p.m.

Parking will be available at various lots and garages in downtown Tampa. The garages will have a special one-time event fee.

A shuttle also will be on hand to pick up parade-goers from the Fort Brooke Garage at Whiting and Franklin streets and drop them off at Bay to Bay, a block from Bayshore. The shuttle will run from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Adult tickets are $10. Children accompanied by an adult ride free.

Parking along the neighborhood streets off Bayshore Boulevard is prohibited and the Tampa police will strictly enforce event parking policies.

For everything you need to know about Gasparilla, visit the City of Tampa Gasparilla website or Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla website.

Photo via Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla