Gasparilla 2020 Information
The Gasparilla Pirate Fest is underway in Tampa Bay! Saturday, January 25 will be the invasion and the day parade. We want to give you all the facts about the parade, so you can plan ahead and have a fun, safe day.
Times:
The “Invasion” of Jose Gasparilla:
The Jose Gasparilla Pirate Ship sets sail at the south end of Hillsborough Bay at 11:30 a.m., sails north to Seddon Channel (between Davis Island and Harbour Island), continues north and docks at the Tampa Convention Center at 1:00 p.m when the Mayor will surrender the Key to the City of Tampa into the hands of the Captain of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla. This is free to watch from many places around South Tampa, including Harbour Island, Davis Island and downtown.
The Parade of Pirates:
The parade begins at Bay to Bay Boulevard and Bayshore Boulevard at 2:00 PM. It continues along Bayshore Boulevard to Brorein Street, turns east on Brorein Street, then north on Ashley Drive. The parade ends at Cass Street & Ashley Drive around 5:30 PM. You can buy waterside tickets here or come join the festivities for free.
What Can and Can’t I Bring?
DO bring money. There are ATMs located along the parade route. All food vendors take cash only.
DON’T Bring Coolers. Coolers, besides soft ones for medical or child needs, are prohibited. There will be beer and wine for sale and can be purchased at one of several Gasparilla Charity Beer Gardens located throughout the event. You must be 21+ and you must present a valid photo ID. 100% of the net revenue supports local Tampa Bay area charities.
DO ride a bike, but remember that within the event street closures, cyclists must walk with their bikes. Don’t leave your bicycle unattended and do not lock to private or city property.
DON’T cross the parade route unless you have reserved parade seating. You may be allowed to cross Bayshore at Reserved Parade Seating gates and ONLY when there is a break in the parade lineup as permitted by the gate security officer. Gate security will escort guests across the street ONLY when allowed by officers. (Arrive Early!)
DO call the Gasparilla Ticket office in Tampa 813-251-8844 if you lose something at the parade to see if they have it.
DON’T bring any pets other than service animals.
DON’T bring any of this:
- No styrofoam cups or containers
- Advertising of an any product or service
- Glass containers of any sort (City Ordinance)
- Coolers – Note: Small soft-sided cooler and lunch bags are permitted for childcare needs and medical needs only.
- Contests or lotteries of any kind
- Grills of any kind
- Tents of any sort
- Fence, stakes or rope (used by spectators to reserve space for parade viewing)
- Sampling or give-away of any product or service
- Selling any product or service
- Solicitation or database development of any kind
- Vehicles of any sort
- Weapons of any sort
- Illegal drugs of any sort
DON’T have an open container unless you are in a designated wet zone (Along the Parade Route):
The waterside of the parade route will remain open to the neighborhood and public between Howard and Gunby and street crossings at Howard, Desoto, Nance, Albany and Gunby will be open for public access to the waterside route on a first come first serve basis. The area will be monitored as it fills.
For information on Street Closures and Gasparilla Safety read part two of our Guide to Gasparilla!
