2017 Gasparilla Parade of Pirates, Events: What To Know Before You Go

TAMPA, FL – For more than a century, pirates have taken to the waterways and streets of Tampa during the winter to take over the city.

Luckily for area residents, the once-a-year event is a part of the Gasparilla Pirate Fest, which includes the third largest parade in the United States, according to Visit Tampa Bay. More than 300,000 people are expected to take to the streets to watch the flotilla and parade, and take part in other festivities.

Here’s what area residents and visitors need to know before you go to the 2017 Gasparilla Pirate Fest and Parade of Pirates:

Date and Time

The 2017 Gasparilla Pirate Fest is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 28 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Location

Gasparilla’s events stretch across downtown Tampa and South Tampa.

Admission

General admission is free to the Gasparilla Pirate Fest and most of its activities. Reserved seating tickets are still available online at http://gasparillatreasures.com/.

Road Closures and Parking

Click here for a full list of road closures and available parking. Accessible parking is available at the North Fort Brooke Parking Garage, and accessible viewing is two blocks away from the garage on East Whiting Street along the parade route.

Television

WFLA News Channel 8 in the Tampa Bay market will host live coverage of the Gasparilla Invasion and Parade of Pirates from 2:30 to 5 p.m.

2017 Gasparilla Pirate Fest Schedule

The following events will take place as part of the 2017 Gasparilla Pirate Fest:

9 a.m. to 9 p.m.: 2017 Seminole Hard Rock Gasparilla Pirate Fest

Four locations along the Tampa Riverwalk in downtown Tampa will feature live entertainment, along with food and other vendors. Pre- and-post parade concerts will take place at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, MacDill Park, The Sail Pavilion at the Tampa Convention Center and Fergs Tampa.

10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Gasparilla Invasion Brunch

Offering one of the best views of the Pirate Invasion in Hillsborough Bay, the 2017 Gasparilla Burnch takes place at the Tampa Convention Center. It includes live entertainment, a cash bar and a reserved seat for the Gasparilla Invasion. Tickets are $113 and are available at http://gasparillatreasures.com/. Children age 2 and younger do not need a ticket as long as they remain seated in an adult’s lap at all times.

The Invasion Brunch does not include reserved Parade Seating. Parade seating at the Tampa Convention Center is available, along with combo seating packages at http://gasparillatreasures.com/.

11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Gasparilla Pirate Invasion

The 2017 Gasparilla Pirate Invasion kicks off at 11:30 a.m. as the Jose Gasparilla, the world’s only fully-rigged pirate ship, will appear on the horizon at the south end of Hillsborough Bay. A flotilla of pleasure craft, looking to defend the City of Tampa, will sail out to meet the ship.

Unfortunately for the city, the flotilla turns to join forces with the Captain and Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla. The Gasparilla Flotilla then makes its way north across Hillsborough Bay and into Seddon Channel, between Davis Islands and Harbour Island.

When the Jose Gasparilla docks at the Tampa Convention Center at 1 p.m., Mayor Bob Buckhorn will surrender the Key to the City of Tampa to the captain and his krewe. The traditional handover marks the beginning of the pirates’ victory celebration: the Parade of Pirates.

2 to approximately 5:30 p.m.: 2017 Gasparilla Parade of Pirates

After the invasion, Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla will make their way to Bayshore Boulevard to take over the streets of Tampa during the 2017 Gasparilla Parade of Pirates. The 3.8-mile parade will include more than 130 units, including more than 90 floats, 14 marching bands, more than 50 separate kerews, including the YMKG pirates, the host of the day’s festivities.

Although the pirates are sacking the city, the marauding buccaneers share their ill-gotten gains (beads, treasures and doubloons) with the crowds lining the streets.

The parade begins at Bay-to-Bay Boulevard and Bayshore Boulevard. It continues along Bayshore to Brorein Street, turning east on Brorein, then north on Ashley Drive. The parade ends at the corner of Ashley and Cass Street.

Image courtesy of Visit Tampa Bay