Children’s Gasparilla: Everything you need

Ahoy! It's Time for Gasparilla!

by Brie Gorecki

Pint-sized pirates rejoice: The Children’s Gasparilla celebration is on the horizon and there’s tons of fun to be had!

Celebrating its 76th year, the Ashley Children’s Gasparilla presented by Chick-Fil-A returns to Tampa Bay Jan. 21. Featuring the Bicycle Rodeo, Gasparilla Air Invasion, Preschoolers’ Stroll and the main event, the Children’s Gasparilla Parade leads the way for Gasparilla Pirate Fest, which takes place the following Saturday. Here’s the lineup so you can map out your day accordingly:

BICYCLE + PEDESTRIAN SAFETY RODEO, NOON TO 2 P.M.

During this free event, participants are fitted with free, brand-new bicycle helmets to keep (while supplies last). They can hop on one of the Rodeo’s bicycles and traverse through a mini traffic course that teaches bicycle and pedestrian safety.

GASPARILLA AIR INVASION, NOON TO 4 P.M.

The Gasparilla Air Invasion is back with its largest airshow yet! Watch civilian aerobatic teams, vintage military aircraft and The Chuters Parachute Demonstration Team wing their way through the sky.

GASPARILLA PRESCHOOLERS’ STROLL, 2-3 P.M.

Tampa Bay’s youngest pirates ages 5 and under can strut their stuff along Bayshore Boulevard in their specially decorated wagons, bicycles and strollers while donning their best pirate attire. The Stroll begins at Howard Avenue and ends at Rome Avenue.

CHILDREN’S GASPARILLA PARADE, 4-6:30 P.M.

Brush up on your bead-catching skills! The Children’s Gasparilla Parade is widely considered the largest children’s event in the country. Beginning at Bay to Bay and Bayshore Boulevard, pirates, floats, marching bands and more march north, ending at Edison Avenue. Be prepared for appearances by Tampa’s sports teams, mascots, favorite characters, and beads, beads and more beads.

GASPARILLA NIGHTTIME AIR INVASION, 6:30-7 P.M.

The airshow fun continues during twilight hours with dusk performances that include a precision parachute jump from The Chuters Parachute Demonstration Team and Ghostwriter Airshows’ signature fireworks flight.

PIRATECHNIC FINALE, 7-7:30 P.M.

Pirate + pyrotechnics = Piratechnics! This firework finale recreates the imaginary battle between the pirates of YMKG and the City of Tampa that began in 1904. This bold, colorful finale sets the scene for the energetic Gasparilla Pirate Fest that takes place the following Saturday, Jan. 28.

Want more inside scoop including route maps and parking info? Scan the QR code to be in the know for all things Gasparilla!

Fun Facts from Rodney Kite-Powell, Director of the Touchton Map Library at the Tampa Bay History Center:

• The first parade of pirates was on horseback. The “pirates” from the newly formed Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla

“invaded” the 1904 May Day parade as a way to liven it up. • Gasparilla is based on the legend of a fictional Florida-based pirate named Jose

Gaspar. • Ye Mystic Krewe is still the sponsoring

Krewe for the parade. There are now over 70 Krewes with ties to cultural heritage, historic events and local historic figures. • Beads were introduced to the parade in 1986, inspired by New Orleans’ Mardi-

Gras parade. • The throwing of coins represents the pirates sharing stolen treasure with the city. • Gasparilla parades have featured children since the 1910s, though a formal

Children’s Gasparilla Parade was not held until 1947.

Want more history about Tampa’s most iconic event? Check out the full interview with Kite-Powell on our site.

Pro Tips to Help You Party Like a Pirate

The Children’s Gasparilla Parade is a fun, but long, day. If you have little ones in tow, make your day smoother and familiarize yourself with the parade route, parking options and road closures before the big day. Although the events are free to attend, you can pay for reserved seating for the parade at gasparillatreasures. com. Get there early; crowds pick up significantly close to parade time.

Here are our tips for what to bring:

• Sneakers or walking shoes, and strollers, wagons, bikes and scooters: Plan on a LOT of walking • Blankets and chairs to “furnish” your parade-watching spot • Portable games and/or activities to keep the kiddos busy; we all know kids and waiting don’t go together • Coolers with drinks and snacks to stay hydrated and keep bellies full. Please note – the Children’s Gasparilla Parade is an alcohol-free event (alcoholic drinks are allowed the following weekend at Gasparilla Pirate Fest). • Hand wipes, sunscreen and toilet paper for the porta-potty (just in case) • An extra bag to store beads • Cash (not all vendors accept cards)

Gasparilla Pirate Fest

Gasparilla Pirate Fest takes place Saturday, Jan. 28. While this event is open to all ages, it’s typically geared toward an adult crowd. Here’s a glimpse of what to expect:

GASPARILLA INVASION, 11:30 A.M. TO 1 P.M.

The only fully rigged pirate ship in the world, the Jose Gasparilla emerges at the south end of Hillsborough Bay and makes its way into Seddon Channel followed by the hundreds of boats of the Gasparilla Floatilla.

PARADE OF PIRATES, 2-6 P.M.

The Gasparilla Parade of Pirates boasts more than 103 elaborate floats, five marching bands, over 50 distinct Krewes and the infamous YMKG pirates. It starts at Bay to Bay and Bayshore Boulevard and ends at Cass Street and Ashley Drive. The event is free, but reserved bleacher seating is available. Visit gasparillatreasures.com to learn more.

PIRATE FEST

An expanded Pirate Fest for 2023 features stages along the Riverwalk in downtown Tampa with live entertainment preand post-parade in Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park and MacDill Park. Visit gasparillapiratefest.com for the complete entertainment lineup.