Pirates have invaded Tampa Bay, Florida as thousands gather for the annual Gasparilla Pirate Festival.

 

 

This event takes place every year, is a celebration of all things pirate-related

 

Over 750 swashbucklers set sail on the gorgeous pirate ship “Jose Gasparilla”, opening off a complete calendar of pirate-themed festivities.

 

 

The festival features a parade with colorful floats, live music, and a pirate invasion by the famous pirate ship, the José Gasparilla.

 

hundreds of boats sail behind the pirate ship in this annual re-enactment of Tampa’s historic pirate invasion, the Gasparilla Flotilla.

 

Members of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers also dress up as pirates and hand out beads down Bayshore Boulevard.

 

 

The event dates back historically to 1904 and is inspired and named after the legendary pirate  Jose Gaspar.

 

‘Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla’ originated as a means to promote and advertise the May Day festivities