It’s an event that people in the Bay area look forward to every year…the Gasparilla Invasion!
The invasion is on Saturday, and we caught up with one pirate who has tips for the event.
With less than 24 hours to go, it’s time to batten down the hatches because the pirates are coming.
Their ships are expected to arrive by sea in the Bay around 1 p.m. Saturday at the Tampa Bay Convention Center docks. From there, the raid and plunder will start at the intersection of Bay to Bay and Bayshore boulevards, where preps are well underway.
The parade will continue along Bayshore Boulevard to Brorein Street, then will turn east on Brorein Street, then north on Ashley Drive.
The parade ends in downtown Tampa at Cass Street and Ashley Drive.
You’ll want to be prepared, too.
“If you’re trying to attract plunder from the God’s on the float, then being in garb and being outlandish in your costuming helps,” said pirate, Tiger Lee from the South China Sea. He owns the Tampa store, Pirate Fashions.
Tiger Lee says when you’re dealing with an invasion like Gasparilla, it’s all about the garb.
“It’s the middle that makes it essential, so for a guy it would be a waist coat, or a coat, for a lady it would be a corset or a bodice.” he said, adding the hat is key. “Without it, you’re just a landsman or a wench.”
He also suggests you start early, bring refreshments, and Tiger Lee says to fully enjoy the merriment of the invasion, you’ll want to be outlandish. “You want to go over the top and that’s the pirate way.”
Once you have your pirate gear, you’ll want to plan your attack.
You can park in any of the City’s parking garages downtown, or one of the lots.
Ybor City’s parking garages will also be open as a park and ride option for the parade. You can also expect a lot of road closures in South Tampa.