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Invasion survival

Treasure these tips; they can help ensure that nothing unexpected shoots a cannon ball into your Gasparilla fun.

By RICK GERSHMAN
Published January 27, 2005

[Times photo: Stefanie Boyar 2003]

A TECO float carrying the Tampa Bay Buccaneer cheerleaders makes its way north on Bayshore Boulevar during the 2003 Gasparilla Parade.

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TAMPA - Maybe you're new to the area. Maybe you're a longtime resident but have only a vague knowledge of this whole Gasparilla deal.

Or maybe you've actually tried to go, but traffic snarls kept you far from the party.

Saturday marks the 101st celebration - the Dalmatian Anniversary, perhaps? - of the Gasparilla Pirate Fest, in which faux pirates sail into downtown Tampa, take over the city and have a parade. The whole thing is based on the exploits of Jose Gaspar, Florida's favorite (if fictional) pirate.

Social groups called krewes, along with other organizations, ride on floats and toss bead necklaces to the teeming masses cheering them along Bayshore Boulevard and into downtown. If, beneath the often garish pirate makeup, you think you spy a locally famous face, you may be right. Although the number of krewes has exploded in recent years, krewe membership long has been de rigueur among Tampa's elite.

After the parade, celebrations continue with downtown's Gasparilla Pirate Street Fest, which runs until 11 p.m. There's plenty of fun to be had, but partying with 400,000-plus people requires some planning.

THE BASICS: The invasion starts when the Jose Gasparilla pirate ship and additional watercraft appear at the south end of Hillsborough Bay at 11:30 a.m. The flotilla then sails north through Hillsborough Bay and into Seddon Channel (between Davis Islands and Harbour Island), toward downtown Tampa.

The ships dock at the Tampa Convention Center about 1 p.m., where the mayor will "surrender" and present a key to the city to the captain of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla. The pirates then celebrate the successful invasion with a victory parade at 2 p.m.

The parade begins near Bay to Bay and Bayshore boulevards and extends 3.5 miles. The floats head north along Bayshore Boulevard to the Platt Street bridge, continue east on Channelside Drive, turn north on Florida Street to Jackson Street, then turn east on Jackson and finish their ride at Morgan.

PARKING/TRAFFIC: Believe us, some people are getting an early jump and parking in the neighborhoods around downtown and South Tampa even as you read this. Thousands more will do the same on Friday, staying with friends that night.

If you have close friends who live near the festival (Hyde Park, Palma Ceia, Davis Islands, Harbor Islands), you might want to take advantage of their hospitality on Friday. (Such friends are better than gold; heap fabulous gifts upon them.)

Don't park illegally: Tampa police begin enforcing restrictions in neighborhoods bordering the parade route TODAY at 4 p.m. Tickets will be issued for illegal parking at first, but after 10 p.m. Friday, your car will be towed.

In past years, some revelers parked in restricted areas, expecting to pay only a fine of $30, which they considered a kind of "parking fee," police said. These days, if you park illegally, expect to be towed.

Prefer to drive in on Saturday morning? Plan to leave super-early (we're talking sunrise) and still walk several blocks to the parade route. Several streets in and around the downtown area will be closed, so expect to take detours and alternate routes. Parking costs vary from lot to lot, but it won't be cheap if you want to get close.

A better option might be the shuttle from Raymond James Stadium on N Dale Mabry Highway. Operated by HARTline, it runs continually from 9 a.m. to midnight, going from the stadium to Hyde Park Avenue and DeLeon Street. Another option: Head to Ybor City and ride the TECO Street Car to the Southern Transportation Plaza, which is across from the Tampa Convention Center. Plan to abide crowded conditions in either case.

Here's the skinny on disabled parking and viewing: The designated parking is under the Crosstown Expressway at Morgan Street. The entry will be on Morgan, south of Brorein Street. Viewing will be on the east side of Florida Avenue, between Brorein and Channelside Drive. Wheelchairs users will have designated viewing areas. Family and friends of disabled individuals may watch from behind the wheelchair spectators.

DRINKING/OPEN CONTAINERS: Bringing alcoholic beverages to the festival is a violation of Tampa law. Beer can be purchased onsite, and police generally are tolerant of well-behaved imbibers along the parade route. Wander outside the festival's parameters, however, and at the least you'll have to toss your cup. Technically, it is illegal to consume any alcoholic beverage or possess an open beverage on any city street, sidewalk, alley or other public property. Which naturally brings us to . . .

BATHROOMS: Unless you're enjoying the parade as an invited guest at a home or business party along the route, you'll likely find answering nature's call a challenge.

Many nearby businesses either will be closed or will close their bathrooms either entirely or to anyone except customers. That means you might be able to snag some stall time for the price of a soda, but don't plan on it.

The city provides plenty of portable toilets; even so, expect long lines during the parade. Conditions inside them can vary, but especially after extensive use, don't expect a Martha Stewart-approved experience. (Well, maybe her present experience.)

Many revelers - and not only just guys - have been known to urinate pretty much anywhere once they've consumed mass quantities of adult beverages. The police largely are focused on crowd control, but you can be arrested for public urination. And trespassing on private property also is a crime, by the way. Besides, what would you do if you caught someone relieving himself on your shrubbery?

HOW TO DRESS: Most years it gets plenty hot enough during the parade to wear T-shirts and shorts (or less), but if you're hanging around for post-parade events, be prepared for cooler weather near sundown. Your car will probably be too far away for you to grab a jacket, so plan accordingly. Hats, sunglasses, sunscreen and bottled water all help beat the sun.

FAMILY FUN: Kids have been enjoying the parade for years, and we've not heard of any being permanently traumatized by the experience. Still, be prepared to explain "adult" behavior the kids won't see at the church picnic.

With 400,000-plus revelers attending, getting separated can be disastrous. Make sure young kids have identification on them, know how to contact you and know to find a police officer if they become lost; if the family has mobile phones or two-way radios, this is the perfect time to use them.

Since you can expect some long waits while traveling and standing in line (for food, drink and the toilet), make sure the kids have their favorite distractions on hand - books, handheld video games, crayons and paper, etc.

ANYTHING ELSE? Yep. Leave the pets at home, and don't even think about bringing fireworks, laser pointers or anything else likely to annoy fellow revelers and attract police attention.

Use the trash cans. Treat other people's lawns as you would your own.

Oh, and have fun.

Sources: Tampa Police Department, Tampa Fire Rescue, gasparillapiratefest.com, Times files

THE PARADE ROUTE: The parade begins at 2 p.m. Saturday at Bay to Bay and Bayshore boulevards. It continues north along Bayshore Boulevard to the Platt Street bridge, continues east on Channelside Drive, then turns north on Florida Avenue to Jackson Street, where it turns east and ends at Morgan Street.

ON TV: The parade will be broadcast live on WFLA-Ch. 8, beginning at 2:30 p.m.

PARADE SEATING: Reserved seats are $20 at (813) 353-8108 or gasparillapiratefest.com.

THE INVASION: Between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday, the Jose Gasparilla sails north into Tampa Bay accompanied by a flotilla of pleasure boats, sails between Davis Islands and Harbour Island and docks near the Tampa Convention Center, where the mayor surrenders the keys to the city.

THE GASPARILLA PIRATE FEST: The street festival with carnival rides and games runs from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. along Franklin Street downtown, between Whiting and Brorein streets. Admission is free.

ENTERTAINMENT: The Invasion Stage (in the Publix parking lot at Bayshore and Platt Street): 9 a.m., music from WMTX-FM 100.7; 10 a.m., the Flab Four; 11 a.m. and 5:15 p.m., Alex Bach; noon, T. Scott Walker; 1:30 and 6:15 p.m. Funky Bizness. The Gasparilla Pirate Fest Stage (parking lot at Brorein Street and Florida Avenue): 11:30 a.m., the Trunk Band; 1 p.m., John Gaar Band; 5:45 p.m. Julliet; 7 p.m., Gregg Rolie (former lead singer of Santana and Journey).

SHUTTLES: Free parking is available in Raymond James Stadium's lots 1, 2, 3 and 4. Round-trip shuttle service from the stadium downtown is available from 9 a.m. to midnight. Shuttle stops downtown are at Jefferson and Whiting streets and at Hyde Park Avenue and DeLeon Street. $7 per person. Or park in the garages in Ybor City and ride the TECO Line Streetcar to the Tampa Convention Center. One-day unlimited ride passes are $3 (exact change required).

PARKING: All parking garages and lots downtown and in Ybor City will be open. Parking enforcement in the area of festivities and the neighborhoods bordering the parade route will begin at 4 p.m. today. Tickets for illegal parking will be issued until 7 p.m. Friday. Cars parked illegally from 7 p.m. Friday through the end of Gasparilla will be towed.

DISABLED PARKING: Disabled parking and parade viewing will be underneath the Crosstown Expressway at Morgan Street. Entry into the disabled parking area will be on Morgan Street, south of Brorein. Viewing will be on the east side of Florida between Brorein and Channelside Drive.

STREET CLOSINGS: FRIDAY AT 6 P.M.: Northbound lanes of Franklin Street from Whiting to Brorein streets.

SATURDAY AT 12:01 A.M.: Bayshore Boulevard from Gandy Boulevard to Platt Street/Channelside Drive.

SATURDAY AT 6 A.M.: Willow Avenue from Swann Avenue to Platt southbound; Crosstown Exit 4 (Willow) closed eastbound.

SATURDAY AT 9:30 A.M.: Jackson Street from Tampa to Morgan streets; Brorein between Morgan and Franklin streets; Platt/Channelside from Plant Avenue to Morgan; Florida Avenue from Channelside Drive to Kennedy Boulevard; Tampa Street extension between Brorein and Franklin; Crosstown Expressway Exit 6A (Florida Avenue) eastbound; Crosstown Exit 7 (Morgan) closed to all traffic except buses.

SATURDAY AT 2 P.M.: Whiting Street from Franklin to Morgan.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: (813) 353-8108, (813) 232-6864 or gasparillapiratefest.com

[Last modified January 26, 2005, 10:43:05]