Gasparilla 2025: Pirates ‘warn’ of impending invasion after Tampa mayor refuses to surrender the city’s keys

Cold, rainy weather was no match for pirates with Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, who headed into Tampa at high noon on Tuesday to warn of an invasion. 

In a time-honored tradition, the pirates infiltrated Tampa and set sights on Tampa Mayor Jane Castor.

Gasparilla

The backstory:

Gasparilla has been a part of the Tampa community since 1904. 

Before pirates take over the city, they meet with the mayor to "negotiate" a peaceful surrender of the city.

Ye Mystic Krewe stated that Captain Drew Pittman commanded that Mayor Jane Castor meet with him at high noon on Tuesday in downtown Tampa.

READ: Gasparilla 2025: Here’s what to know about the annual pirate parade

In true Gasparilla fashion, the sound of cannons were heard in downtown Tampa before the pirates met with Mayor Castor to "discuss" the advantages of her handing over the keys to the city. 

Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla pirates try to get key to the city from Mayor Jane Castor.

Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla pirates try to get key to the city from Mayor Jane Castor. 

They added that Mayor Castor needed to surrender now or face the historic Gasparilla Invasion.

Mayor Castor did not surrender the key to the city on Tuesday. 

She said, "If Hurricanes Helene and Milton couldn’t knock down Tampa, new scaly wags can’t."

Gasparilla pirates did not get key to the city

What they're saying:

"But when you try to explain Gasparilla festivities to people from out of town, they just kind of tilt their heads to one side and look at you funny," said Castor. "You just have to come and experience it." '

Pirate Shamus Warren expected the mayor's hard line on the key, but his smile remained. 

"We pay her the courtesy of asking politely for the key," said Warren. "Traditionally, she refuses, and we have to bring our buddies back on Saturday and the result is a great parade and a great day." 

The backstory:

In FOX 13's archives from 1974, we found the pirate raid on then-Tampa Mayor Dick Greco. On the roof of City Hall, he tried to offer Tampa Cigars to win favor, but later in his office he revealed the truth about who should run Tampa. 

"You pirates would do a better job than us politicians," Greco said at the time. 

READ: Gasparilla safety: Law enforcement prepares for Pirate Invasion following New Orleans terrorist attack

What's next:

Since Castor did not hand over the keys, the pirates took the mayor and said they will respectfully deliver her to the appointed meeting place, reported to be Lykes Gaslight Park on Franklin Street, between Kennedy and Madison.

The Jose Gasparilla ship is expected to dock outside the Tampa Convention Center at 1 p.m. After the mayor surrenders the key to the city around 1:15 p.m., the pirates will take to the streets to celebrate. 

The Gasparilla Parade of the Pirates will begin at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 25, at Bay to Bay and Bayshore.

The Source: This story was written with information provided by Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla and FOX 13's Lloyd Sowers. 

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