The sky is just starting to color. The soft pink of light is seen over the dark clouds that hang low in the sky. As the clock ticks the pink turns to deeper colors and the rays of the sun peek through the clouds. It is dawn on Tampa Bay.
Birds start to awaken and wade in the water at the edge of the
Bay. Small animals peek from their hiding places, Pelicans glide over the water looking for their breakfast. All is right with the world.
Is that thunder? What is that sound? As we run to the waters edge to see what is going on the first of the boats appear on the horizon. Then more and more gather and we hear the sound of cannon and gun fire! The tall mast of a sailing ship is seen in the distance and it is surounded by a florilla of other ships and small boats. Up the channel they come closer and closer. The sound of cannon and gun fire gets louder and louder. What is happening? What will become of the residents of Tampa?
It's the invasion of Tampa by Jose Gaspar and his motley pirates!
The invasion starts with Gaspar's ship and a flotilla of several hundred boats traveling up the Seddon channel into the downtown Tampa area. The pirates will be firing their guns and cannons and making as much noise as possible. Part of the flotilla includes special boats that are watching out for our gentle neighbors the Manatees. They make sure that the boats traveling with the Jose Gaspar stay clear of the areas where these wonderful creatures are wintering in the area. They may be cutthroat pirates at heart but they are mindful of the environment and the creatures that live in our area.
Avast Mateys!!
Tampa's yearly celebration of the famed Jose Gaspar and his crew is being held 28 January 2006.
The celebration is named for the fictional pirate who supposedly ransacked the Tampa Bay area.
After they have "captured" the city they will parade through the streets with others who will join them in the wonderful Gasparilla parade. During the parade instead of taking from the citizen of Tampa, Ye Mystic Krewe and their fellow marchers throw beads and trinkets to the parade watchers. The Pirate Fest has something for everyone and continues for a whole week of festivities.
Beads - The object of the day is to collect the most beads possible and wear them to show how popular you were with those in the parade. Each of the members of the different Krewes purchase the beads to hand out during the parade and for other events. During the year the beads are usually displayed hanging from mirrors in cars throughout the city.
In March of the year 1904, a letter appeared on the desk of the city editor of the Tampa Tribune that read "After a century of obscurity and retirement in this His Royal Majesty's dominion, it has been deemed expedient and desirable by His Royal Majesty that the Royal Court of Gasparilla shall visit the fair and prosperous city"
I will be joining my fellow citizens of "The City Fair and Prosperous" to see just what the invasion brings in the year 2006.
If I am lucky I may even get my share of the beads!
Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla was formed, and over the years has been joined by numerous other Courts and Krewes. In 1970 there were only four Krews. In 2002 nearly 100 Krews were formed and marched. The members of these special groups hold court with elaborate Balls at which the next year's court and king and his queen are selected. Throughout the year the members of the Krewes engage in varied philanthropic work in the Tampa Bay area. But at Pirate Fest time they don costumes, paint their faces, and become the most feared of invaders ever seen in this part of Florida.
Last updated: 6 January 2006