Hundreds of thousands revel as pirates invade Tampa Bay for Gasparilla

TAMPA, Fla. - Hundreds of thousands of people lined Bayshore Boulevard Saturday for Gasparilla 2019 as pirates officially invaded Tampa Bay.   

It was a sea of pirates along Bayshore screaming for beaded treasure.

“I love when they throw out the beads," Daniel Grill said. "That’s what I’m here for.”

It's an experience many look forward to all year.

“I like the energy and it brings so many different cultures and walks of life together," Dena Moncada said. "We are here to do the same thing: have fun and party.”

It's the chance to celebrate one of Tampa Bay’s longest-running traditions dating back to 1904. More than a century later, it's grown to be one of the nation’s largest parades.

“It is the excitement, the energy, you just feed off of it and you just want to give it back, you want to give the excitement back," Sheriss Crosskey said. "You’ve thought about this day all year long. You just want to live it with everyone.”

More than 100 floats took part in Saturday’s parade, including more than 50 distinct krewes of pirates.

Many, of course, celebrated with a drink in hand.

As of Saturday night, Tampa Police made at least 11 arrests.