Yesterday was the Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla invasion and parade! A little background for the uninitiated…since about 1904 this has been Tampa’s version of Mari Gras – only with boats, guns and pirates. The day starts early (way too early..) at the Yacht Club where members (aforementioned pirates) dress up, gear up and fire up in order to lay siege to the city of Tampa. They then sail from the club in a full on pirate ship (The “Jose’ Gaspar”), complete with cannons, crow’s nests and flagged rigging, into downtown with guns and cigars blazing – escorted by roughly 300 boats in a scrum surrounding the ship. There they demand the key to the city then flaunt their “victory” with a parade along Bayshore Boulevard – a long winding road fronting Tampa Bay. There are thousands (estimates of 400,000!) of people lining the street, begging for bead tossed to the crowd. While Ye Mystic Crew organizes the parade, there are over 50 krewes included – along with bands, the Bucs and seemingly anyone that can muster a float, beads and wenches.. Parties and pillaging last well into the evening – and believe me, when you and 400,000 of your closest friends finally get home, you discover you never knew a hot shower and your bed could feel so good.
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