Tampa's 2019 Gasparilla Pirate Fest; Everything You Need To Know

TAMPA, FL -- On the heels of a successful Children's Gasparilla Parade on Saturday, Jan. 19, pirates with Ye Mystic Krewe are gearing up to invade Tampa on Saturday, Jan, 26.

In keeping with a tradition dating back to 1904, last week members of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla stormed Tampa City Hall and demanded that Mayor Bob Buckhorn meet with Capt. Richard Chapman III at high noon on Tuesday, Jan. 22, in downtown Tampa to negotiate a peaceful surrender of the city to avoid a long, costly battle.

As promised, Chapman, accompanied by his finest mates, arrived on a float to the sounds of cannon fire on Tuesday at Lykes Gaslight Park on Franklin Street. However, negotiations failed when Buckhorn refused the pirates' demands to surrender.

That means the historic Gasparilla Invasion will proceed as planned on Jan. 26 beginning at 11 a.m. when the full-size replica pirate ship, the Jose Gasparilla, flanked by a flotilla consisting of hundreds of pirate collaborators, will sail north across Hillsborough Bay and into Seddon Channel to the Tampa Convention Center. Click here for information about participating in the flotilla.

Jose Gasparilla will dock at the Tampa Convention Center where a raiding party will demand that Buckhorn surrender the keys to the city at 1:15 p.m during the annual Invasion Brunch. In the past, Buckhorn has relented. But this is his last year as mayor so, rumor has it, he may put up a fight.

Inspired by the legendary pirate, Jose Gaspar, who terrorized the waters of West Florida during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla founded the festival in 1904 in response to the popularity of New Orleans' Mardi Gras Festival.

Ye Mystic Krewe's strategy to promote Tampa proved overwhelmingly successful. Over the years, the annual parade has become the third largest in the United States, attracting half a million attendees from around the country. The Gasparilla Festival was named one of the top 20 community celebrations in the Southeastern U.S. by the Southeast Tourism Commission.

The pirate-themed event has grown into an extended celebration that includes this past weekend's Gasparilla Children's Parade and Piratechnics fireworks display, the Gasparilla Pirate Street Festival and Invasion Brunch (see below for details), the Gasparilla Distance Classic on Feb. 23-24, , the Gasparilla Festival of the Arts on March 3-4 and the Gasparilla Music Festival March 9-10. Plus, new this year is the Gasparilla Jazzfest scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 27.

The festival has also spawned more than 60 other Krewes (service organizations) that participate in charitable events and community service projects year-round, in addition to taking part in the festival.

And it sealed Tampa's reputation as the country's pirate capital, leading to a slew of bustling commercial enterprises hawking pirate souvenirs, float makers, costumes and collectibles.

Gasparilla Parade

The highlight of the 2019 Seminole Hard Rock Gasparilla Pirate Fest, the Gasparilla Parade of the Pirates will get underway at 2 p.m. at Bay to Bay and Bayshore boulevards. More than 140 units including 103 floats, five marching bands and 60 pirate Krewes will participate in the 4.5 mile parade down Bayshore Boulevard, turning east on Brorein Street, then north on Ashley Drive, ending at Cass Street and Ashley Drive.

The parade is free. Reserved bleacher seating is available for purchasing by clicking here.

The 3 1/2-hour parade begins at Bay to Bay Boulevard and Bayshore Boulevard. It continues along Bayshore Boulevard to Brorein Street, turns east on Brorein Street, then north on Ashley Drive. The parade ends at Cass Street & Ashley Drive

The parade is free but spectators should come early and bring folding chairs to ensure a good view. Tickets for reserved bleacher seating at various locations along the parade route are available for $60 to $145. Click here for tickets.

More than 100 food, drink and souvenir vendors will be set up along the parade route. In contrast to the Jan. 19 alcohol-free Children's Gasparilla Parade, beer and wine can be purchased at one of several Gasparilla Charity Beer Gardens located throughout the event. Port-o-lets also will be set up throughout the event site.

Glass containers, coolers and grills are not permitted for safety reasons.

Gasparilla Invasion Brunch

The Gasparilla Invasion Brunch at the Tampa Convention Center provides the best view the Gasparilla Invasion.

It begins at 11 a.m. and includes a buffet brunch with cash bar and reserved table seating. Tickets are $120 for adults. A combination ticket for the brunch and parade bleacher seating is $155. Tickets are available online or by calling (813) 251-8844.

Gasparilla Pirate Street Festival

Taking place before and after the parade on Saturday, the Gasparilla Pirate Street Festival, presented by Budweiser, will feature live music on stages at the Sail Pavilion, MacDill Park and Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The lineup includes Almost Alice, The Rusty Wright Band, Sol Caribe, Mario Viccaro, Nova Rex and the Caliente Band.

The music will continue through midnight at Ferg's Live, the official Gasparilla after-party headquarters, with Lanny Z and the Josh Carroll Band.

Gasparilla JazzFest

Smooth jazz artist NAJEE will headline the first Gasparilla JazzFest on Sunday, Jan. 27, in Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park.

JazzFest is a free, family-friendly event featuring live jazz from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“We are delighted to add the Gasparilla JazzFest to our 2019 Seminole Hard Rock Gasparilla Pirate Fest schedule,” said Darrell Stefany, president of EventFest and project manager for the Gasparilla Extravaganza and Pirate Fest.“With construction in downtown reducing our Pirate Fest stages on Saturday, the expansion to include Sunday became a logical addition to our Gasparilla festivities. While our guests come for the Gasparilla Invasion and Parade of the Pirates on Saturday, they’ll come out on Sunday for the music.

The lineup also includes Jeanette Harris and Althea Rene and Omari Dillard.

There will be several vendors and food trucks on site, each with a variety of brunch options available to purchase.

Or jazz enthusiasts can purchase a VIP Brunch ticket featuring a catered buffet from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tickets are $65 and include two complimentary drink tickets. Click here for tickets.

Parking And Street Closures

Click here to view streetcar and bus services available during the 2019 Gasparilla Pirate Festival.

Information on the street closures, parking and traffic plan for Gasparilla can be found on the City of Tampa’s website.

Video via City of Tampa

Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn refuses to surrender to Ye Mystic Krewe Capt. Richard Chapman III.

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