e.b.'s world

Gasparilla 2007

January 29, 2007

This weekend the Pirates invaded Tampa. Named after Jose Gaspar, the last of the Buccaneers, he terrorized the West Coast of Florida in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Gaspar deemed himself to be Gasparilla when he headed the Royal Spanish Navy for five years. Thereafter, he and a mutiny of pirates set sail for the Florida Straights where he began a life time as an outlaw of the sea. When he died the legend was he left a fortune along the Florida coast, which was never unearthed. In his honor, in 1904 Tampa leaders, the Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, organized a pirate invasion, and arrived on horseback to capture the city. The event was a hit, and the Krewe planned a more elaborate spectacle the next year, when all 60 of Tampa's cars were paraded through downtown. Now the invasion is lead by the pirate parade float. That is the history of Gasparilla, we also know it as an excuse to drink all day long. As if you really need one. Think Mardi Gras; beads, boobs and beer. On a smaller scale and confined to one day. But Tampa does its part to get in spirit and throw a party. We began before 11 with mimosa cocktails and breakfast at lovely Ashley's house. Followed by parties, vodka, the parade, beer, and more parties. The evening ended with pizza and an early bed time. It is tiring carrying a buzz for 10 hours. Check here for additional photos from the weekend.

**Info courtesy of TBO and Wikipedia.

Labels: Everyday Life

link | posted by anne at 12:10 PM

9 Comments:

Runner Girl FL said:: Arrrggg!! Pirates! Hurray!!

Gasparilla is so much fun every year!; 2:10 PM
megabrooke said:: sounds like a fun weekend! i love the pictures! the weather looks beautiful there- you lucky stiff.; 7:27 PM
acaligurl said:: i love looking at pictures! looks like fun and nice weather. so, the police officer picture.....one of them is not like the others. ;); 11:09 PM
anne said:: The atmosphere here is always so lively and we usually get blessed with good weather.

Yes there is one police man who may not quite measure up....; 6:33 AM
JustRun said:: Arrrgggh! I heart pirates!
I have heard about this before... always wished I could go. Maybe next year!; 7:17 AM
Ally said:: My friends tried to get me to come with them to celebrate Gasparilla, but I wasn't sure I could keep up with their plans for three days straight of drinking. Def. sounded like an interesting event though--your day sounds more like my speed.; 7:18 AM
Cute Jewess said:: Sounds fun! And...hangover inducing ;); 9:07 AM
Accidentally Me said:: I love local history stuff like that...it adds so much character to places.

Just try and explain to people outside Boston that St. Patricks day is a city-wide holiday called "Evacuation Day" and see if they think you are kidding... But it's true, the city government closes.; 10:05 AM
acaligurl said:: e.b. ohgawd i came back on today to see if by chance you replied to my comment, and i spit my tea out when i read your comment. lol!!! (i'm not kidding about the tea!); 9:43 PM