Ahoy Mateys! Gasparilla Time in Tampa Bay
Written by Brandi Jackson
If you are not from Tampa and didn’t attend Super Bowl XLIII, it’s rare that you have ever heard of Gasparilla and it’s history. Gasparilla is a Mardi Gras meets pirates festival if you will, that is celebrated the entire month of January. Named after the legendary pirate, Jose Gaspar who was a Royal Spanish Navy lieutenant turned pirate that terroized the coastal waters of West Florida, the city of Tampa began celebrating Gasparilla in 1904. Far different from the celebration we know today with the original “Ye Mystic Krewe” arriving via horse back to take over the city. Tampa has celebrated Gasparilla with only ten exceptions every year since. The original Ye Mystic Krewe numbered a mere 40 members now numbers over 700 members.
In 1954 the Krewe commissioned the building of the world’s only fully rigged pirate ship to be built in modern times. Named the Jose Gasparilla, the ship is a replica of a West Indiaman used in the 18th century. She is constructed of steel at 165′ long by 35′ across the beam, with 3 steel masts standing 100′ tall. During the year she is usually docked at the Tarpon Weigh Station on Bayshore Blvd. for the public’s viewing pleasure. 1
There are now over 50 different Krewes that participate in the Gasparilla parades and celebration, raising money through out the year for various charities and foundations. The Krewes all have different community focus and volunteer opportunities as well as requirments for membership. Some of the older Krewes have lengthy wait lists and consideration for membership is strictly based on legacy. The increased number of Krewes has helped Gasparilla grow from a one day celebration to a lengthy and extremely fun month long party! To start the celebration there is a smaller, quieter and alcohol free kids parade on Bayshore Boulevard the weekend before the big invasion. The official “pirate invasion” begins with a floatilla of hundreds of boats accompanying the 165′ Jose Gasparilla that is packed to the brim with pirates as it enters Tampa Bay and heads towards downtown. The pirates then demand the key to the city and when the Mayor hands it over, the party begins. The main Gasparilla parade starts with an air invasion along Bayshore Boulevard, then the Mayor kicks off the parade and nearly 200 floats make their way down Bayshore towards downtown. In the week or two after the main parade there is a Mardi Gras style night parade hosted by the Krewe of Sant ‘Yago in Ybor City. Adding even more culture there is the Gasparilla Music Festival and Film Festival.
The main attraction to the parade is catching beads, not to be outdone, the costumes worn and the floats that the pirates ride upon are absolutely fabulous! Although there isn’t much research available for the design process that the Krewes go through before picking their final float design, each Krewe does a have a particular theme and time period that the float and costumes reflect. From pirate ships, a Titanic replica, submarines, railroad cars and rolling pageant stages the floats and costumes range from extravagant and elaborate masterpieces to the more homemade yet equally loved. There are all female Krewes, culturally historic Krewes, cowboy Krewes, marching bands and dance companies, all to entertain the nearly 1 million people that line beautiful attend Gasparilla.
When Gasparilla rolls around you will notice that the residents, especially in the South Tampa neighborhoods, will begin to adorn their front doors and balconies with Gasparilla wreaths and pirate flags. And BEADS! What better way to use all of those beads you collect during the parade than to decorate your balcony, mirrors, chandeliers, mantels, apothecary jars and bowls? I’ll admit, when I first moved to Tampa I had a strong dislike for the tacky wreaths that nearly everyone had festooned to their entryway. By the time my second Gasparilla rolled around, these quirky grapevine wreaths accented with feathers, beads, glittered flowers and coconut pirate heads had really grown on me and now I am the proud owner of five wreaths! Gasparilla is also a wonderful crutch from Christmas decoration withdrawal. Giving you a reason to decorate on a bit smaller scale. Clayton Gray Home has fabulous pirate items that will help you ready your home for the pirate invasion. I know many friends that even after they move away from Tampa, still pull out their pirate decor and put it on display in their new locale.
Cheers Mate Flask, Pirate Box, Skull Box, Bad Boy candle-Marie Todd, Champagne cooler
If you ever have the opportunity to visit Tampa during the month of January, you should definitely try to schedule your visit around the Gasparilla festival and one of the fabulous parades. In addition, check out our collection of pirate booty and show some love for Tampa by setting up your own pirate display, no matter what part of the country you reside.
We would also like to share with you a Gasparilla cocktail staple, Pirate’s Milk Punch. This recipe comes to us from the Junior League of Tampa’s Life of the Party Cookbook.
Pirates4 Milk Punch
1 c sugar
1c high quality vodka
1c high quality bourbon (do not use sour mash)
2oz PURE vanilla extract
1c French brandy
1t freshly grated nutmeg
whole milk
Combine the sugar, bourbon, brandy and vodka in a gallon container with a lid. An empty gallon milk jug works well. Secure the lid and shake vigorously until the sugar is dissolved. (bonus:arm workout!) Add the milk, 2c at a time until the jug is full; shake well after each addition. Chill for 8 to 24 hours before serving. Serve very cold or over ice in old-fashioned glasses, we prefer silver mint julep cups. Sprinkle freshly grated nutmeg over the top before serving. Yield 1 gallon or about 16 servings.
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