WATCH LIVE: Gasparilla pirates parade down Bayshore Boulevard

Katlyn Brieskorn
·1 min read

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Shiver me timbers! It’s time for Gasparilla 2024!

The pirates have arrived in Tampa and are ready to parade down Bayshore Boulevard.

The invasion started with the Jose Gasparilla ship leading a fleet of hundreds of smaller vessels into Tampa Bay and to the Tampa Convention Center.

At 1 p.m., the ship docked at the convention center on Franklin Street. Dozens of buccaneers disembarked the ship and invaded the city, demanding Mayor Jane Castor surrender the key to the city to Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla’s heroic captain.

With the key in hand, the pirates celebrated with a victory parade down Bayshore Boulevard — sharing their wealth of beads and booty along the way.

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This year, about 140 elaborate floats, Krewes, marching bands and the infamous Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla will march along the 4.5-mile parade route, beginning at Bay to Bay and Bayshore and ending at Cass Street and Ashley Drive.

Ahoy, mateys! Learn how to talk like a pirate for Gasparilla Pirate Fest

The Gasparilla parade has been a tradition in Tampa since 1904 when the Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla first hosted it. To date, it’s considered the nation’s third-largest parade behind Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana, and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York.

To follow along on the action in real time, click here.

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