By Filippa Malmström
A favorite for many locals and travelers are the events surrounding the celebration of Gasparilla. Revelers can expect many exciting activities, including music festivals, art festivals, film festivals, races and so much more. In Greater Tampa Bay, Gasparilla season is the best season.
The legend of José Gaspar
Beyond fun times, there is a lot of exciting history to be learned about the creation of Gasparilla. The Spanish pirate José Gaspar traveled to Tampa for the first time more than a century ago. Since he sailed into Tampa Bay, there are now two months full of festivities, parades and other fun loaded with treasures every year.
Many might wonder where the word “Gasparilla” comes from. It is named after the pirate and means “little Gaspar.” The legend says Gaspar was a short man with a gift for navigation. Finding his way to Tampa Bay, he stumbled into some problems. During 1821, a massive invasion occurred from large boats entering the harbor and disgorging their pirate crews. History says that those marauders kidnapped the mayor and refused to return him until they were given the keys to the city.
According to the legend, Gaspar did not win against the Tampanians that day. However, he did not want them to take him alive. He chained himself to the anchor and threw himself into the sea. The legend says his last words were, “Gasparilla dies by his hand, not the enemy’s!” while jumping off his ship.
Today, the fun events of Tampa’s Gasparilla Festival celebrate the battle between Gaspar and the fearless residents of Greater Tampa Bay.
Bring out your inner pirate: Gasparilla Pirate Festival
Beyond great history, the Gasparilla season is most famous for its many events and festivals. Dress up as a pirate and join the festivities at Gasparilla Pirate Fest.
The celebration starts with the Gasparilla Invasion. The ship “The Jose Gasparilla II” carries hundreds of locals dressed as pirates while sailing to Tampa, searching for the key to the city. They travel north across the Bay, into the Channel, near the Tampa Convention Center. When the flag is on top, the Gasparilla celebration begins.
Locals and travelers get to join the captain and his Ye Mystic Krewe down the 4.5-mile parade with other pirates during the Parade of Pirates. People highly adore the parade, which travels through downtown Tampa. It is a free day to dress up and live out the pirate dream without others judging. The parade features 140 units of krewes, floats, marching bands and social organizations, all walking together in the spirit of Gasparilla. Rock ‘n Roll is the soundtrack of the annual Pirate Fest with live music along the Tampa Riverwalk.
Dance your heart out: Gasparilla Music Festival
Every year, the Gasparilla Music Foundation organizes its annual music festival. This year, the stage featured music from many talented bands, including Eddie Roberts & The Lucky Strokes, Displace and Zeta the Babe.
It is not only a fun time with live music, but also has a good outcome. The nonprofit organization supports music education through its recycle program, which helps underserved and impoverished children in Greater Tampa Bay get access to musical instruments. The children also get the opportunity to perform during the festival.
Beyond creating a successful music festival, the organization aims to support and promote local musicians and bands, support and fund music education, establish a long-term, sustainable organization to help the Tampa Bay region and much more.
The festival is a big part of the Gasparilla celebration and always brings many people. While listening to great music, visitors can enjoy food and drinks, and most importantly– dance until the night ends. Every year, incredible artists perform so the audience can move and groove like never before. It is an amazing opportunity to show off some of the bay’s best (and worst) dance moves.
Discover the Magic of Art: Gasparilla Festival of the Arts
Gasparilla Festival of the Arts is a celebration of the arts in GTB. The festival takes place at their outdoor venue, perfect for Greater Tampa Bay’s tropical weather. Artists have come to the festival for many years to show their newest work and creativity. Not only is it enjoyable for the public to witness incredible art, but the organization behind it also gives out scholarships and prize money of nearly 100 thousand dollars.
This year, artists and new rising stars showed off art, including ceramic, digital, drawing, fiber, glass, jewelry, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, watercolor and wood.
The Gasparilla Festival of the Arts is passionate about new and upcoming artists. Therefore, they created the Emerging Artists Program, which allows rising artists to present their work to a large audience. The public can see the work of young artists before their names become well known. Being a part of the program comes with opportunities for a lifetime. A few past participants become traveling festival artists, and others now have major galleries representing them.
Make a Run for It: The Gasparilla Distance Classic
Between enjoying live music, food, drinks and entertainment, a big part of the Gasparilla season is The Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic. Run through the roads of Greater Tampa Bay, aiming for one of many possible goal lines. Race weekend includes four distance races and four challenges.
Runners can choose between the PGDC 15K, PGDC 5K, the Publix Gasparilla Half Marathon (13.1 miles), and the Publix Gasparilla 8K. If that is not enough physical activity, they also offer the Michelob Ultra Challenge (15K, 5K, Half Marathon, and 8K), Michelob Ultra Pure Gold Challenge (15K and Half Marathon), Michelob Ultra Infusion Challenge (15K and 8K) and the Michelob Ultra Organic Seltzer Challenge (5K and 8K).
For most runners, it is not about winning. The Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic is a way to overcome personal goals and challenges. Although running can be difficult, the great view and the supportive company make it a lot easier. The flat course takes runners on a lovely route along beautiful Bayshore Boulevard.
