Pirates may be planning their annual raid during Gasparilla this week, but Tampa Mayor Jane Castor says she may not give in to demands for the city key so easily this year.
In her Tampa Weekly newsletter, Castor spotlighted the Ashley Children’s Gasparilla Parade held this weekend along Bayshore Boulevard, and noted that the city is now turning its attention to the main Gasparilla Pirate Fest scheduled for Saturday. The event traditionally begins with a mock pirate invasion of downtown Tampa, followed by a parade drawing hundreds of thousands of spectators.
Castor is scheduled to participate in several Gasparilla-related events this week, including the Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla Mayor’s Raid on Tuesday at noon, and the formal city surrender ceremony at 9:30 a.m. Saturday ahead of the parade. She said multiple city departments like Tampa Police, Tampa Fire Rescue, Solid Waste and Parks and Recreation coordinated to stage the event behind the scenes for months.
“Saturday’s Children’s Parade reminded me why Gasparilla holds such a special place in my heart,” Castor wrote in her newsletter.
“Watching thousands of tiny pirates march down Bayshore Boulevard literally never gets old. After all these years, the joy on those faces still gets me every time. Of course, the calm before the storm is officially over. Tomorrow at high noon, the notorious Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla is planning to storm downtown Tampa, demanding I surrender the Key to the City. Spoiler alert: I will likely decline.”
Castor encouraged attendees to plan transportation in advance, noting that city parking garages will be open and that free Tampa Electric Company Line Streetcar service and Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority bus shuttles will operate between Ybor City and downtown Tampa during the event. She also reminded attendees to review the city’s designated “wet zone” map, which outlines where alcohol consumption is permitted during Gasparilla.
The newsletter also included reminders to stay hydrated, wear sunscreen, keep a watchful eye on children in crowded areas and designate a sober driver or use rideshare services.
Beyond Gasparilla, the newsletter included updates on upcoming city meetings and initiatives. Those include a Feb. 2 pedestrian safety meeting in Ybor City, volunteer recruitment for the annual point-in-time count of homelessness on Feb. 26, a student-focused poster art contest with submissions due Feb. 6, and internship opportunities for students age 16 to 19.
The newsletter also reminds residents they can dispose of bulky waste like old furniture and household items free of charge during SWEEP week during their assigned week.
