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Gasparilla

Gasparilla schedules and facts

Things you need to know before you head out for the big day.

By Times Staff Writer
Published January 25, 2007

Downtown parking

Private lots throughout downtown Tampa will be open during Gasparilla, with varying rates.

Here is a list of the public parking garages and lots:

- Tampa Convention Center Garage, Tampa and Brorein streets, opens at 5 a.m. $10.

- Lot 2, under the Crosstown, between Florida Avenue and Morgan Street, opens at 7 a.m. $5.

- Lot 3, under the Crosstown east of Morgan Street, opens when Lot 2 is full. $5.

- South Regional Garage, on Channelside Drive between Florida Avenue and Morgan Street, opens at 6 a.m. $10.

- Fort Brooke Garage, northwest corner of Florida Avenue and Whiting Street, accessible from Whiting Street, opens at 6 a.m. $10.

- Whiting Street Garage, Whiting Street between Florida Avenue and Morgan Street, opens at 9 a.m. $10.

- Poe Garage, Ashley Street south of Cass Street, opens at 7 a.m. $4.

-Curtis Hixon Garage, Ashley Street at Twiggs Street, opens at 7 a.m. $4.

- Meters south of Kennedy Boulevard and on Kennedy will be enforced from 8 a.m. to midnight.

. Ybor City parking

Garages at Palm Avenue and 13th Street and at 15th Street and Sixth Avenue will be open ($8). You can reach the parade and invasion area by streetcar from Ybor City from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. A one-day unlimited streetcar pass is $4 (exact change only).

. Hotline

The city's Gasparilla information hotline, (813) 274-8750, is open 10 a.m . to 6 p.m. today, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.

. Pets

Pets are prohibited in some areas, and it's a wise idea to leave animals at home even where they aren't banned.

. Prohibited

- Advertising of any product or service

- Glass containers

- Coolers (except small soft-sided lunch bags for child care or medical needs)

- Tents

- Fence, stakes or rope to reserve spaces for parade viewing

. Restrooms

Portable toilets are scattered along the parade route, near reserved parade seating and at the downtown street festival.

. Disabled parking and viewing

Parking is under the Crosstown Expressway at Morgan Street, beginning at 11 a.m., first come, first served. A disabled parking permit is required. The entry is from Morgan, south of Brorein Street. Wheelchair viewing is on the east side of Florida Avenue between Brorein and Channelside Drive. No chairs or bleachers in this area.

. Shuttle

Free parking is available at Raymond James Stadium (Dale Mabry Highway and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard). A shuttle runs from the stadium to Hyde Park Avenue and De Leon Street, just off the parade route, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. The shuttle is $8 per person, round trip.

. On TV

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

. Good to know

- Many of the 150 vendors accept only cash, and access to ATMs along the parade route is limited. Be prepared.

- Pirates are immune to rain. The invasion and parade go on regardless of the weather.

- Tampa General Hospital is accessible by taking Kennedy Boulevard to Hyde Park Avenue.

6 p.m. Friday

- Franklin Street from Whiting Street to Brorein Street (north)

12:01 a.m. Saturday

- Bayshore Boulevard from Gandy Boulevard to Platt Street/Channelside Drive

- Bayshore Boulevard from Brorein Street to Plant Avenue

3 a.m. Saturday

- Platt Street/Channelside Drive from Plant Avenue to Morgan Street

6 a.m. Saturday

- Willow Avenue from Swann Avenue to Platt Street (south)

- Crosstown Willow Avenue (Exit 4) closed (eastbound)

- Crosstown Florida Avenue (Exit 6A) closed (eastbound)

- Crosstown Morgan Street (Exit 7) closed to all traffic except buses

8 a.m. Saturday

- Hyde Park Avenue from Brorein Street to De Leon Street (emergency vehicles and buses allowed)

- Plant Avenue from De Leon to Platt (emergency/bus lane)

9:30 a.m. Saturday

- Jackson Street from Tampa Street to Morgan Street

- Brorein Street from Morgan Street to Franklin Street

- Florida Avenue from Channelside Drive to Kennedy Boulevard

- Tampa Street Extension from Brorein Street to Franklin Street

2 p.m. Saturday

- Whiting Street from Franklin Street to Morgan Street

Gasparilla Pirate Fest, Saturday, downtown Tampa, (813) 353-8108; www.gasparillapiratefest.com.

- Gasparilla Invasion Brunch, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Tampa Convention Center, $39-$49.

- Flotilla and Invasion, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free.

- Parade of Pirates, 2 to 5 p.m. Free. Reserved parade seats, $24.

- Pirate Fest Street Festival, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Free.

[Last modified January 27, 2007, 14:58:48]