Pirates are temporarily taking over downtown Tampa to celebrate Gasparilla, an annual pirate-themed festival. Known as the city's "signature event," Gasparilla was named after famed Florida pirate José Gaspar from the 18th century, who went by Gasparilla.

Gasparilla Parade, also known as the Gasparilla Pirate Festival, is a Tampa-based yearly event with more than a century-long history.

Every year, an estimated 300,000 participants come to Tampa for the Gasparilla Pirate Festival, a mock attack by a band of pirates called Ye Mystic Krewe. The pirates’ plot is simple: storm the shores, take the city’s key, and parade down Bayshore Boulevard.

Arr! Gasparilla in Tampa is Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. Attendees can witness the "pirate invasion" as Jose Gasparilla ship sets sail at Hillsborough Bay

The driver of the truck responsible for the terror attack in New Orleans, who killed 14 people, visited Tampa twice before his rampage, the FBI said.

Bayshore Boulevard will be packed from starboard to port with Pirates on Saturday for the annual Gasparilla pirate fest. It is a Tampa tradition, and hundreds of thousands of people are expected to celebrate the annual parade of pirates.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, fla — Bayshore Boulevard will be packed from starboard to port with Pirates on Saturday for the annual Gasparilla Pirate Fest. It is a Tampa tradition, and hundreds of thousands of people are expected to celebrate the annual parade of pirates.

Ahoy, Gasparilla season! Tampa's Mardi Gras-like festival is taking over downtown on Saturday. Why it matters: It's one of Tampa Bay's cultural touchstones — and even if you're not trying to get drunk with a bunch of bead-throwing Tampeños in ruffly shirts,

The Gasparilla pirates invaded Tampa again, meaning thousands of parade-goers dressed like pirates lined Bayshore Boulevard, parading with stuffed parrots and, yes, drinking lots of alcohol.