Gasparilla: Hundreds of thousands converge on Tampa for invasion of the pirates

TAMPA -- 

The Bay area knows Gasparilla, and today, it celebrated the occasion with boats, parades and pirates.

• Join the fun: Mayor Buckhorn took to social media as pirates seize control of the city

Hundreds of thousands converged on downtown Tampa and Tampa Bay to take part in the annual pirate invasion.

Gasparilla is one of the most heavily attended and most anticipated events of the year.

With the fun and festivities of Gasparilla comes a large number of arrests. Tampa Police officials released numbers of citations and arrests during the event:

• Open Container Citations: 302
• Adult Misdemeanor Arrests: 23
• Adult Felony Arrests: 2
• 8 Boating Under the Influence
• 1 Obstruction of Justice w/o Violence
• 1 Possession of Marijuana
• 1 Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Underage Drinking Arrests

• Under the age of 18 years - 2
• Under the age of 21 years (19-20yrs) - 25

The name and foundation of Gasparilla comes from legendary pirate Jose Gaspar, who terrorized the coastal waters of West Florida during the late 18th and early 19th century. Many years later, a tradition was established.

Each year, with the exception of 10 years, hundreds of people take to the streets and the waters to uphold and honor their mascot, Gaspar. People love to partake in the traditional invasion and parade each year. Here's a list of today's events and upcoming Gasparilla happenings:  

Upcoming Events -- March 3, 4:

Gasparilla Festival of the Arts at Cutris Hixon Waterfront park -- The annual arts festival, held during the first weekend in March, is one of the county’s premier outdoor shows. You will find ceramic, digital, drawing, fiber, glass, jewelry, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, watercolor and wood arts.

Gasparilla Distance Run -- The 15k, 5k, half marathon takes place on Saturday and Sunday. You can find entry forms for the 2012 race at all Tampa Bay area Publix Super Markets, Sports Authority, Fifth Third Bank, metroPCS and Ferman Automotive locations. Or by registering online

Bay News 9's Virginia Johnson recently got a look inside the Henry B. Plant Museum in Tampa and their exhibition "Gasparilla- A Tampa Tradition."

If you visit, be sure to check out the masked horsemen of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla in the first 1904 parade.

The picture of the 1924 Krewe is easy to pick out - the costumes were all Egyptian in honor of the discovery of King Tut's Tomb.

The exhibition traces the growth of Gasparilla from a one-day event to month-long celebration. 　

The exhibition is on display until February 19.