Dorothy the tugboat has been around much longer than the celebration of Gasparilla

Lynda Weiss is a tugboat captain for Hendry Marine Industries. She is one of the captains bringing in the Gasparilla invasion by leading the Floatilla.

WWE, Marvel star Dave Bautista to serve as Grand Marshal for Gasparilla

Ye Mystic Krewe announced Thursday that six-time WWE world champion and Marvel star Dave Bautista will serve as Grand Marshal for this year's Gasparilla Pirate Fest.

The costumed kids of the 1949 Gasparilla Children's Parade

The Gasparilla Children's Parade will fill Bayshore Boulevard Saturday. The parade has grown into a major event, but its origins are humble.

Tampa mayor launches campaign to keep beads out of the bay

Don't worry: Beads are still welcome on the parade route.  Police will just be keeping tabs on who's throwing them off boats or floats into the water, which is illegal. 

Gasparilla in July: Tampa Tarpons to auction Gasparilla-inspired jerseys

It might be the middle of summer, but it’s never too early to start getting excited for Gasparilla. The Tampa Tarpons are so ready for the big parade that they thought they would have their own Gasparilla-themed night. 

70-year evolution of the Gasparilla Children's Parade

Gasparilla season officially kicks off this weekend when little pirates will invade the city. The G-rated Children's Parade is held the week before the more raucous Gasparilla Pirate Fest and has been a part of the festival's history since the 1940s.