Watch As Desa Betrays Mayor And Leaders Gasparilla Pirates To City Of Tampa Keys: Video

TAMPA, FL — It wouldn't be Gasparilla time in Tampa without a few pranks.

In a deviation from the Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla's usual tactic to take over the city of Tampa during the festival by demanding the keys from the mayor, this year the krewe received help from Mayor Jane Castor's traitorous dog, Desa, who snuck the krewe into the mayor's office to steal the keys...or did she?

Watch the video below to see how Desa tricks the band of buccaneers.

Tampa's annual Gasparilla festivities get underway this weekend with the always-popular Ashley Children's Gasparilla Parade presented by Chick-fil-A Saturday, Jan. 22, from 3:30 to 6 p.m.

A Tampa tradition since 1957, the 1.5-mile children's parade begins at Bayshore Boulevard and West Bay to Bay Boulevard, featuring parade floats, krewes, marching bands, dance units, school organizations, community groups and neighborhood associations parading down scenic Bayshore Boulevard to Edison Avenue.

Prior to the start of the parade, there will be a Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Rodeo from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Bayshore Boulevard and South Rome Avenue, between Rome and Dakota avenues.

The rodeo is free to anyone interested in learning how to bicycle safely with traffic. Volunteers will fit children in attendance with a new, free bicycle helmet that they can keep (while supplies last). Kids can then use one of the rodeo’s bicycles to ride through a fun course that teaches skills that could one day save their lives.

On tap following the rodeo from noon to 3:15 p.m. is the Gasparilla Air Invasion and Day Jump at Bayshore Boulevard and South DeSoto Avenue.

Taking place simultaneously from 1 to 2 p.m. is the Gasparilla Preschooler's Stroll at Bayshore Boulevard and Howard Avenue.

Tampa tiniest buccaneers (age 5 and under) can stroll along Bayshore from Howard Avenue to Rome Avenue in their finest pirate regalia with their wagons, bicycles and strollers decked out with Gasparilla decorations.

To maintain a family-friendly atmosphere, the Children’s Gasparilla Parade is an alcohol-free event.
The parade is free to attend but reserved bleacher seating is available starting at $55. For reservations, visit GasparillaTreasures.com or call EventFest’s Gasparilla ticket line at 813-251-8844, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The parade will be followed by the reimagined Children’s Gasparilla “Piratechnic” Finale from 6 to 7 p.m.

First, the Jose Gasparilla pirate ship will arrive ablaze with cannons and lights.

From 6:15 to 6:30 p.m., the Gasparilla Air Invasion and Night Jump at Bayshore Boulevard and Howard Avenue with aerobatic skywriters, formation flights and a precision parachute jump performed by The Chuters, landing at DeSoto and Bayshore (one block north of Howard and Bayshore).

Stunt planes will perform a fireworks flight. Then, on command, the captain of Ye Mystic
Krewe of Gasparilla, organizer of the Gasparilla festivities, will order a sequence of firework shells featuring a display aimed to impress.

This event will pave the way for the 2022 Seminole Hard Rock Gasparilla Parade of Pirates and Pirate Festival on Jan. 29.

In between, on Jan 25, pirates from Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, dressed in full regalia, will visit children at hospitals and elementary schools.

At noon Jan. 25 at Lykes Gaslight Park, 241 E. Madison St., Tampa, Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla’s elite Plunder-Team Ten Special Operations Unit will infiltrate Tampa’s outer defenses, make their way into City Hall and Ye Mystic Krewe Capt. Peter Lackman will present a dire warning letter to Mayor Jane Castor to surrender the city peacefully to avoid a lengthy battle.

The letter further indicates the pirates are threatening to hold hostage an "International Treasure, revered by 31 powerful dynasties and recognized by the grand title of 'Lord.'”

For parking options during the festivities, click here.

For Americans With Disabilities parking and viewing, click here.

For a list of street closures, click here.

For a map of the parade route, click here.