Gasparilla Pirate Festival: Difference between revisions
Benjamin Mako Hill (talk | contribs) →History: merged in from Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla |
Benjamin Mako Hill (talk | contribs) →Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla: moved again to the article on Krewe's |
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Gasparilla was first held in May [[1904]] in Tampa Bay but the invasion originated on horseback instead of by boat. In years past, a [[US Navy]] ship would be attacked by small boats throwing [[Cuban bread]] and [[black bean]] soup. The Navy would respond with fire hoses but would succumb to the Ybor City Navy, and then surrender to the [[Alcalde]] of Ybor City. The sailors would be treated to an evening on the town. This was discontinued after the [[September 11, 2001 attacks]]. However, the invasion itself continues as "Capt. Jose Gaspar" and his crew of "Pirates" "attack" Tampa, surrounded by hundreds of other boaters as they sail the Gasparilla Ship through Tampa Bay,land in Downtown Tampa and "take over the city." |
Gasparilla was first held in May [[1904]] in Tampa Bay but the invasion originated on horseback instead of by boat. In years past, a [[US Navy]] ship would be attacked by small boats throwing [[Cuban bread]] and [[black bean]] soup. The Navy would respond with fire hoses but would succumb to the Ybor City Navy, and then surrender to the [[Alcalde]] of Ybor City. The sailors would be treated to an evening on the town. This was discontinued after the [[September 11, 2001 attacks]]. However, the invasion itself continues as "Capt. Jose Gaspar" and his crew of "Pirates" "attack" Tampa, surrounded by hundreds of other boaters as they sail the Gasparilla Ship through Tampa Bay,land in Downtown Tampa and "take over the city." |
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==Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla== |
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Founded in 1904, '''Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla''', or YMKG, is [[Tampa, Florida]]'s oldest and most prestigious [[krewe]], or social organization. Each January, YMKG sponsors a festival called [[Gasparilla]] in Tampa re-enacting a pirate invasion of the city. The mock invasion begins with the Pirates sailing into Tampa Bay on a full scale pirate ship, accepting the surrender of Tampa from the Mayor and culminates in a parade that is attended by approximately 750,000 people. YMKG's members dress like pirates in honor of the Krewe's namesake, [[Jose Gaspar]], a mythical pirate that cruised the waters in and around Tampa Bay during the Golden Age of Piracy. |
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In addition to sponsoring the Gasparilla Pirate Fest, Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla also sponsors the Children's Gasparilla Parade and the Gasparilla Piratechnic Extravaganza (a large fireworks display), which traditionally take place in Tampa the week before the Gasparilla Pirate Fest. |
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==Images== |
==Images== |
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Revision as of 03:53, 25 January 2007
Each January, Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla and the City of Tampa hosts the Gasparilla Pirate Festival, named for legendary pirate captain José Gaspar who operated out of the area. The invasion begins when the "Krewe" (made up of residents of the city) arrives on a 165' long pirate ship, the Jose Gasparilla, in Tampa Bay and land near downtown Tampa. The mayor of Tampa then lends the key of the city to the pirate captain of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla and a parade ensues down Bayshore Boulevard, one of Tampa's major streets. The krewes throw beads, coins and other items while shooting blank pistols from floats during the parade. The average attendance for the event is over 400,000 people. According the event's official website, 2003's Gasparilla parade affected an economic impact of nearly 23 million dollars to Tampa.[1]
Krewe memberships are highly sought after in many social circles in South Tampa [citation needed], and many celebrate ethnic and cultural themes. The Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, the organization which founded and sponsors the parade, is the oldest krewe involved in the parade, and among the most prestigious. Members of the many krewes that now participate spend a great deal of money on beads and floats.
A week before the "invasion" and the main parade, Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla sponsors a family-oriented children's parade and "Piratechnic Extravaganza," with fireworks launched over Tampa Bay. 2006's fireworks display included an impressive airborne element, where an imaginary sea battle took place between a pirate ship in the harbor and a plane which shot off fireworks while doing acrobatic maneuvers.
A few weeks after the invasion, there is a more adult-oriented Sant'Yago Knight Parade (also known as the Gasparilla Night Parade) in Ybor City, held in the evening and running into the early morning. Krewes have social events and parties throughout the year for members and hold philanthropic events for favored causes. The parade is broadcast every year on WFLA-TV, and has been since 1955.
History
Gasparilla was first held in May 1904 in Tampa Bay but the invasion originated on horseback instead of by boat. In years past, a US Navy ship would be attacked by small boats throwing Cuban bread and black bean soup. The Navy would respond with fire hoses but would succumb to the Ybor City Navy, and then surrender to the Alcalde of Ybor City. The sailors would be treated to an evening on the town. This was discontinued after the September 11, 2001 attacks. However, the invasion itself continues as "Capt. Jose Gaspar" and his crew of "Pirates" "attack" Tampa, surrounded by hundreds of other boaters as they sail the Gasparilla Ship through Tampa Bay,land in Downtown Tampa and "take over the city."
Images
The Jose Gasparilla
Hundreds of boats watching the invasion
Downtown Tampa during Gasparilla
