Colorful Legend Fuels Pirate Fever

By KURT LOFT Of The Tampa Tribune

Originally Published: January 31, 2003

Gasparilla Timeline

TAMPA - So you're visiting Tampa this weekend and know nothing about the madness about to descend. Well, if you hope to rub elbows with the pirates, it's time to bone up on a little party history.

Welcome to Gasparilla, Tampa's version of Mardi Gras, a bead-and-beer fest that celebrates the city's mythical invasion by a gang of seafaring blokes.

Each February, hundreds of thousands of people turn out along Bayshore Boulevard and downtown Tampa to celebrate the pirate takeover, to watch more than 35 crewes in their colorful garb riding on parade floats, to drink beer, and party into the night.

This is the 99th Gasparilla celebration, a mere prelude to next year's centennial blast. But thanks to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' trip to the Super Bowl, this weekend takes on an extra shot of adrenaline, says Darrell Stefany, president of EventMakers Corp., which organizes the event.

	Pirate legend Jose Gaspar is immortalized with this statue at Regency Cove, a retirement community in Tampa. Tribune file photo

""We think every year is special, but this year there's a lot of excitement because of the Bucs,'' he says. ""In the other years, the Bucs were already in their off-season, so the pirate fever has been at a pretty good pitch.''

Officials expect an estimated 400,000 people to attend this weekend's events, although some say such a high number can't be confirmed. The parade … the main draw … features 93 floats and 14 high school bands, and will stretch sixth-tenths of a mile longer than previous years.

So how did all this hoopla begin? With a mythical character named Jose Gaspar, a feisty pirate and the ""last of the Buccaneers'' who, according to legend, roamed the coast of west Florida during the late 18th and early 19th century. Gaspar's character was based on the tale of a lieutenant in the Royal Spanish Navy, who said he burned 36 ships.

Gaspar lived a profitable life as a pirate until 1821, when he attacked what he believed was a helpless merchant ship on its way to New Orleans. But as the story goes, the ship turned out to be a U.S. Navy warship in disguise, and a short exchange of gunfire turned Gaspar's fortune into folly.

The legend continues as Gaspar, in his last act of defiance, wrapped a heavy chain around his body and jumped from his burning ship, sinking into the sea.

Of course, he buried much of his booty somewhere along Florida's west coast. While the treasure has never been found (and never will be), his colorful story was unearthed in 1904 ""when Tampa's social and civic leaders adopted the pirate as patron rogue of their citywide celebration,'' according to Gasparilla festival officials.

Louise Frances Dodge, society editor of The Tampa Tribune, in 1904 planned the city's first May festival based on Gaspar's legend, and soon his gang of outlaws was re-created in the form of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla. The first costumes came from New Orleans.

Gasparilla was postponed during some war years, and in 1942 used krewe budget surpluses to buy defense bonds. In 1992, the seven oldest krewes got together for lunch and created the Inter-Krewe Council. Today, there are more than 35 krewes and an assortment of other groups that participate in festivities. Leaders of Ye Mystic Krewe kick in about $500,000 toward the $1.5 million cost. Southwest Airlines and other corporate sponsors contribute, while the city of Tampa provides police and cleanup.

The Inter-Krewe Council meets quarterly in Hillsborough or Pinellas counties with a designated krewe acting as host. Charging $100 yearly for dues from each krewe, the council represents about 3,000 members and donates money to charities.

Gasparilla's main event goes like this: Pirates board a ship and sail into downtown Tampa … demanding the keys to the city amid a volley of cannon fire. Through the years, hundreds of boats have followed the ship, creating an impressive flotilla off Bayshore Boulevard.

Then comes the Parade of the Pirates, a celebration in which the bad guys ""share'' their wealth by tossing symbolic strings of beads to the crowds along Bayshore. Last year's event included more than 300,000 people crammed along the parade route.

The party continues with Pirate Fest, a street festival added to Gasparilla in 1985. The festival includes games and rides along Franklin Street from Whiting to Brorein streets and stages with bands and other performers.