Tampa’s signature pirate event got off to a chilly start, but things warmed up as the day and parties progressed.

Gasparilla became a time-honored tradition in 1904 after local planners decided to make the legend of Gasparilla into the theme for that year's May Day celebration, said Gasparill

Gasparilla Parade, also known as the Gasparilla Pirate Festival, is a Tampa-based yearly event with more than a century-long history.

Whether by land or by sea, thousands of people crowded Tampa’s waterfront along Bayshore Boulevard on Saturday for the annual Gasparilla Parade of Pirates. It started with the usual invasion at the Tampa Convention Center, where Mayor Jane Castor gave up the key to the city.

Arr! Gasparilla in Tampa is Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. Attendees can witness the "pirate invasion" as Jose Gasparilla ship sets sail at Hillsborough Bay

While the legends of José Gaspar are full of alleged adventure and swashbuckling, history tells a different story.

TAMPA, Fla. — Thousands of pirates are invading Tampa Bay looking for treasure in the form of beads and medallions. It's a tradition that has been going on now for more than 100 years.