Once again, Mayor Jane Castor will surrender the key to the City of Tampa on Jan. 29 to a band of marauding pirates aboard the Jose Gasparilla, a replica pirate ship used in this faux invasion.

The event celebrates the legend of Jose Gaspar (nicknamed Gasparilla), a mythical Spanish pirate captain who supposedly operated in southwest Florida. It was founded in 1904 by the all-male, all-white Krewe of Gasparilla, made up Tampa’s leading founders. That group bears little resemblance to today’s roster of more than 50 diverse krewes. It took nearly 90 years, but the parade became more inclusive starting in 1992 and now include Latin krewes, female krewes, Black krewes and ones based on various ethnic, cultural and historical themes or charity causes

Hundreds of thousands of people will pack the streets of downtown Tampa for Saturday’s alcohol-free Children’s Gasparilla and even more are expected for the big Gasparilla parade on Jan. 29. There are also related parties, exhibits and other debauchery.

That’s because Gasparilla season involves much more than the big parades. The following is a list of Tampa Bay area Gasparilla-related events to help you get into the mood to pillage and plunder.

Official Gasparilla events
Children’s Gasparilla Extravaganza: The alcohol-free, family friendly Gasparilla event includes a bicycle and pedestrian safety rodeo (11 a.m.-1 p.m.), air invasion (noon-3:15 p.m.), preschooler’s stroll (1-2 p.m.), a parade (3:30-6 p.m.), night time air invasion (6-6:30 p.m.) and a “Piratechnic Finale” (6:30-7 p.m.). Free. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday. Downtown Tampa, Bayshore Boulevard, Tampa. 813-251-3378.

Gasparilla Pirate Fest: Pirate Fest features numerous stages with live entertainment pre- and post-parade in Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park (Ashley and Twiggs), and MacDill Park (Ashley and Whiting). Entertainment lineup for 2022 has not yet been announced. Free. 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Jan. 29. Curtis Hixon Park, 600 N Ashley Drive, Tampa. 813-251-3378.

EventFest-Gasparilla Brunch 2022: Feast on a family style brunch as you watch the Ye Mistic Krewe of Gasparilla invade Tampa aboard the Jose Gaspar Pirate Ship. $98, $78 children. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Jan. 29. Tampa Convention Center, 333 S Franklin St., Tampa. 813-251-8844.

Gasparilla Invasion and Parade of Pirates: The fully rigged Jose Gasparilla emerges at the south end of Hillsborough Bay followed by hundreds, if not thousands, of boats. The vibrant Gasparilla Flotilla then makes its way across Hillsborough Bay and into Seddon Channel (between Davis Island and Harbour Island). 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Jan. 29. 1315 Severn Ave., Tampa. Then, from 2-6 p.m. Jan. 29 the Gasparilla Parade start point at Bay to Bay Boulevard and Bayshore Boulevard, the parade of more than 140 units winds its way down historic Bayshore Boulevard. It continues along Bayshore to Brorein Street, turns east on Brorein, then north on Ashley Drive. The parade ends at Cass Street and Ashley Drive.

Source consulted www.tampabay.com