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An insider's guide to Gasparilla
By SUSAN THURSTON
Published January 27, 2006
Downtown and Bayshore Boulevard once again become party central for bead throwing, beer drinking and merrymaking during Saturday's annual Gasparilla Pirate Invasion and parade.
A tradition since 1904, Gasparilla was inspired by the fictional pirate Jose Gaspar, who terrorized west Florida's coastal waters with his band of marauding mates during the early 19th century.
Official festivities start at 11:30 a.m. when the Jose Gasparilla and hundreds of other boats set sail toward downtown, across the Hillsborough Bay and up Seddon Channel. Amid a volley of cannon fire, the ship will dock at the Tampa Convention Center at 1 p.m., and an apparently defenseless mayor will surrender the keys to the city to the captain of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla.
The Parade of Pirates starts at 2 p.m. at Bayshore and Bay to Bay Boulevard. It continues north to the Platt Street bridge, heads east on Channelside Drive, turns north on Florida Avenue and east on Jackson Street, ending at Marion Street.
The Gasparilla Pirate Fest runs from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. downtown with live entertainment on three stages. Carnival games, rides and food booths will take over Franklin Street between Brorein and Whiting streets.
For information about the events, go to www.gasparillapiratefest.com Tickets may still be available for $24 reserved bleacher seats between Howard and Rome avenues. Call 353-8108 or visit the Web site.
Here's a short guide to help you navigate and enjoy Gasparilla.
Crowd size?
There's no way to calculate how many people attend the invasion and parade, but police estimate up to 500,000, depending on the weather. When the city hosted the Super Bowl on the same weekend in 2001, the crowd swelled to an estimated 750,000. The most crowded stretch is between Howard Avenue and the Tampa Convention Center.
Weather forecast?
Potentially parade perfect. Partly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of rain. High 75, low 56.
Number of portable toilets?
About 550. Portable Sanitation has a contract with party organizer EventMakers to provide all the portable johns, not including the ones rented by private residents. Gasparilla is the North Tampa company's largest event of the year, said co-owner Al Lopez, and to meet the demand, it has to subcontract with other area potty providers. Crews began setting up the toilets a few days before last weekend's children's parade and will haul them away Sunday and Monday.
Who pays for Gasparilla?
The city pays for most of the police enforcement and trash cleanup. Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla pays EventMakers to put on the festival, and EventMakers gets proceeds from reserved bleacher seating and corporate tents along Bayshore.
Can you walk around with an open beer?
Technically, no. In practice, yes, if you behave. Open containers are "subject to enforcement," said police Maj. John Bennett, commander of special operations. Anything in a glass bottle is a big no-no, and if an officer asks you to pour out your drink, do so without comment. Resisting police will get you in trouble. Police encourage revelers to drink at any of the eight wet zoned areas along the parade route. Proceeds will benefit local nonprofit groups, including Hillsborough Association for Retarded Citizens and the Florida Aquarium.
What about kegs?
They are also "subject to enforcement." Last year, police impounded 15 of them.
Size of police force?
About 1,000 throughout the day, including about 850 during prime parade time. About one-third of the force comes from the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office and the Florida Highway Patrol. All Tampa police officers work Gasparilla as part of their regular duties. EventMakers pays for about 100 officers.
Number of arrests?
On average, about 30 to 50 for disorderly conduct, plus up to 100 for underage drinking.
Any arrests for baring breasts for beads?
Usually not. Police may issue a warning to lower your shirt.
Where to park?
Parking is generally restricted in neighborhoods bordering Bayshore Boulevard. Best bet: arrive early. Spots are available at many private and public lots and garages throughout the area. Police start parking patrol tonight to ensure emergency vehicles can get through streets on parade day. RVs, campers and other vehicles wider than 80 inches can't park on residential streets.
Will cars be towed?
Yes. Police will tow cars after giving each a warning and a $30 ticket. Last year, authorities towed 60 to 80 vehicles. For specific information on where and where not to park, go to www.tampagov.net Click on Gasparilla in the center and scroll to neighborhood parking links on the far left.
When is next year's Gasparilla?
Jan. 27, the last Saturday in January.
[Last modified January 26, 2006, 08:57:08]
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