The Gasparilla Festival is one of Tampa's largest treasures. Celebrated since May 1904 when the first Gasparilla Festival in Tampa Bay was held. The tradition includes a Pirate Invasion on Tampa as the pirate ship enters the channel and continues to the Convention Center where it docks. The Mayor will surrender the Key to the City of Tampa into the hands of the Captain of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla which will then spark their Parade of the Pirates down Bayshore Blvd.

The 2009 Gasparilla Pirate Fest Street Festival features live entertainment, food, thrilling rides, fun games and amusements for all ages. The Pirate Festival will be located in Downtown Tampa between Kennedy Blvd and Channelside Drive.

The Gasparilla Day Parade 2009 will once again take place along Bayshore Blvd starting at Bay to Bay. The parade will march north along Bayshore through Downtown turns east on Channelside Drive, then north on Florida Avenue. Finally turning east on Jackson, it ends at Jackson and Marion Streets. The Gasparilla Parade in Tampa is the largest parade in the bay area. With over 500,000 people spanning the 3.5 mile parade route it is one of Florida's largest parades. The Gasparilla Day Parade is not to be confused with the Children's Parade or the Knight Parade that takes place at night in Ybor City.

Gasparilla 2009 Schedule

The Gasparilla Invasion - 11:30am to 1:00pm
Gasparilla Invasion Brunch - 10:00am to 1:00pm
Parade of the Pirates - 2:00pm to 5:30pm
Pirate Festival - 10:00 am to 11:00pm