Donating unwanted Gasparilla beads helps local non-profit

The Gasparilla fun might be over, but now you can be part of preparations for next year’s festivities while helping the environment.

TPD: 5 arrested during Gasparilla parade

While most pirates and revelers kept things under control during Saturday’s Gasparilla festival, a few people got a little out of line. 

The history of piracy is far from the experience of Gasparilla – but that's OK

Beads, feathers, comfortable shoes and fresh whiskey – all easy to find at the Gasparilla Pirate Invasion and Parade. For pirates in the 1700s, life was filthy, smelly, and very dangerous.

Gasparilla guide to parking, rideshare, & public transit

Getting around downtown Tampa could be challenging during the Gasparilla Pirate Invasion and Parade Saturday. We've compiled resources to help parade goers get around, whether they're driving, taking a rideshare, or public transit.

Gasparilla sailing route changed due to rough weather; boaters 'strongly discouraged' from participating

With wind gusts and a rough chop in the forecast for Tampa Bay, police and organizers are “strongly discouraging” boaters from participating in this year's flotilla, which will take a revised route due to the inclement weather.

Locals, businesses and pirates ready for return of Gasparilla parade

The pirates are restless after a year off due to the pandemic, but Gasparilla is back this weekend. Locals and businesses are prepared to take on the chilly day.

MacDonald Training Center to recycle, resell thousands of pounds of Gasparilla beads

The MacDonald Training Center, which employs people with varying abilities, hopes to recycle thousands of pounds of beads left behind by pirates on Gasparilla.

Gasparilla pirates meet with Tampa mayor to negotiate surrender of city

Ye Mystic Krewe took over the Tampa Convention Center for their annual meeting with the city's leader, who had two choices: surrender the city or face the pirates this weekend.

HART makes bus service pirate-friendly during Gasparilla

Getting to and from Gasparilla festivities can be challenging for drivers. That's why the Hillsborough Transit Authority (HART) is making its routes pirate-friendly Saturday for the parade.

Children’s Gasparilla Parade safety is a joint effort as crowds return to Bayshore Boulevard

Gasparilla season is finally back in full swing and as pirates parade down Bayshore Boulevard once again emergency responders watched from a special operations center to make sure the invasion went off without a hitch. 

Gasparilla Children’s Parade celebrates 75 years of plundering pirates

Despite a chill in the air and overcast skies, pirates are plundering through the streets of Tampa on Saturday for the 75th annual Children’s Gasparilla Parade.

TPD, first responders review emergency protocols ahead of Gasparilla festivities

Tampa law enforcement and first responders met Tuesday to study tragedies like the Boston Marathon bombing, in hopes they can prevent a similar tragedy during Gasparilla festivities.

Children's Gasparilla Parade will go on, despite record pediatric COVID-19 infections

After taking a year off due to COVID-19, the pirate invasion is back, with the Children's Gasparilla Parade kicking off festivities this weekend. Organizers say they expect an even bigger crowd than year’s past, but the comeback falls in the middle of record case numbers, especially among children, due to the highly contagious omicron variant.

Gasparilla krewe named for peg-legged pirates has helped amputees for 18 years

When most people think of Gasparilla krewes, parties and parades come to mind, but the Ye Notorious Krewe of the Peg Leg Pirate is known for helping amputees.