The bearded bandits are at it once again! Tomorrow morning, daring and determined warriors from Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla’s elite Plunder-Team Ten Special Operations Unit will infiltrate Tampa’s outer defenses. Witness as they quickly sweep into City Hall, their eyes squarely set on Tampa’s Mayor. Armed with a letter from their Captain, Truett Gardner, they will command Mayor Jane Castor meets with Captain Gardner at high noon on Tuesday, January 23, in downtown Tampa. Their intent: negotiate a peaceful surrender of the city or face a long and costly battle.
Rumors have circulated that the Captain of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla and a fierce battalion of pirates plan to invade downtown Tampa on Saturday, January 27, at approximately 11:30 a.m. The Krewe, notorious for its theatrical noise props (cannons), will “discuss” the advantages of Mayor Castor surrendering the key to the City of Tampa. Her only chance -- surrender now or face the historic Gasparilla Invasion.
Should the Mayor choose not to voluntarily meet the Captain at the appointed date and time, Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla’s advance team will likely take the Mayor by force. They will respectfully deliver her to the appointed meeting place, reported to be Lykes Gaslight Park on Franklin Street, between Kennedy and Madison.
The 2024 Seminole Hard Rock Gasparilla Pirate Fest, Tampa’s historic community event, begins on Saturday, January 27, at the Tampa Convention Center’s Invasion Brunch, which is held at 10:00 a.m. Guests will gather along the waterfront to witness the Gasparilla Invasion and the Jose Gasparilla docking tableside at 1 p.m. Following the Mayor’s surrender of the key to the city at approximately 1:15 p.m., our Krewe of merry pirates will take to the streets to celebrate. The Gasparilla Parade of the Pirates will begin at 2 p.m. at Bay to Bay and Bayshore. Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla has proudly presented Tampa’s historic Gasparilla Invasion and Parade of Pirates since 1904.
Media parking for the Mayor’s Raid will be available on the north curb of Kennedy, between Franklin and Tampa.
2024 GASPARILLA RAIDING PARTY SCHEDULE
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
11:30 a.m. - Pirates arrive (noisily) in downtown Tampa via float, on the west side (Tampa Street) of Lykes Gaslight Park
NOON - Pirates meet with Mayor Jane Castor to negotiate the city’s surrender*
Tampa’s signature events, the Seminole Hard Rock Gasparilla Pirate Fest and Ashley Children’s Gasparilla Presented by Chick-fil-A Tampa Bay are marketed, managed & produced by EventFest, Inc.
NOISE ADVISORY: Theatrical sounds, such as cannons firing, maybe heard in the area of downtown Tampa, and props appearing to be weapons maybe observed in the downtown area during this time. There is no cause for concern. The Tampa Police Department is aware.