Sky E-News

For more than one hundred years, the city of Tampa has had to defend itself from Pirates.  Well, in the imaginary sense, as the battles are staged and there is quite a celebration.  This year the event will take place on January 23rd, and the children of the city just can not wait.  The festival of “Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla” began in 1904, and has been growing ever since.  Along with the one hundred year old traditions, a new tradition was started in 2005.

This is called the Gasparilla Preschoolers Stroll.  It is a great place to take children under the age of five, and a great way for them to experience the festivities in a totally kid-friendly and safe environment.  This is a half mile walk, where the children are part of their own parade, if full pirate regalia, some even on decorated bicycles and tricycles.  Parents of the younger children decorate the strollers and the carriages, and as there are no motor vehicles allowed, parents can be certain of their children’s safety.

This event is sponsored by IKEA, and many of the restaurants and Tampa Bay hotels join in the fun and offer their support.  The Air Invasion takes place soon after, and features precision flying and parachute jumps of the US Special Ops Command Jump Team.  Next on the schedule is the parade for the older children, and has included marching bands and dance troupes and floats presented by the community organizations of the city.  The end of the night is topped off by the Extravaganza.

The finale is one of the largest displays of “Piratechnic” fireworks in the United States, representing the fictional battle with the terrible “Krewe of Ye Mystic” bandits.  The show takes place over the Hillsborough Bay,beginning at 7pm.  The fireworks are choreographed to a soundtrack, and the scene is vibrant and just simply incredible.  For an entire day of pirate shenanigans, head down to the Bay in Tampa, and get ready to give the pirate sentiment of “Arrggh!”, for there will be many opportunities that day, to speak the speak of pirates.