GASPARILLA PIRATE FESTIVAL | TAMPA | COMPLETE CHAOS

In this video we are checking out the third largest outdoor festival in the country and boy was it chaotic! I parked in Ybor City where I was meeting up with my sister and youngest niece. It’s a chilly morning so while I wait for the fam I’m going to get a hot tea and warm beginet. So I stopped into the Gaspers Grotto owned by retired Captain Schiller who was a ship master of vessels of the American merchant, Marines and I quickly realized that this is the local watering hole for Pirates and Lasses. They offer both indoor and outdoor seating in a beautiful courtyard but since it was chilly I opted for a table inside. Besides being a local bar, they offer breakfast and lunch. My server (can’t say bar wench it’s not politically correct) was amazing! She was super attentive and upbeat and the atmosphere was great! I love people watching especially when everyone is having a great time! Finally the fam arrived so we caught the free trolly shuttle down to the river walk. It was so cool seeing the masses all dressed up in pirate attire! Tampa has to hold some kind of record for the most pirates in one location. The Gasparilla Pirate Festival is similar to the New Orleans Mardi Gras, they put on a parade throwing beads and pirates causing havoc (no, not really). Tampa literally breaks up the festival over a span of a few weeks. A children’s festival day, a parade, a nighttime festival, music and arts festivals, marathons and so much more. The attraction that everyone was here to see today though was the Jose Gaspar pirate ship. The ship itself is 165 feet long by 35 feet across the beam and was christened in 1954 during the Krewes 50th year anniversary. The Gasparilla pirate ship takes a voyage through the bay amongst hundreds of other boats there for the festival then makes its way to land, then the pirates proceed to where the mayor is hiding out and takes the key to the city. We fought through the crowds to find a spot to see the ship but y’all know we are short and people were packed in on the riverfront like sardines, so to us it seemed more like a ghost ship! Now these people had the best viewing spot! Man how do we get that kind of view? There were a few food trucks in different locations, lots of makeshift bars and various party events going on but no vendors with crafters and merchants which was disappointing. I was really hoping to get a pirate shirt or some kind of treasure. So full transparency there were just way too many people and feeling defeated by not being able to see the pirate ship we headed back to Ybor City. Once back in Ybor City we found the cutest little taco shop for lunch. We ordered some tacos, you know I had to get a Al pastor, and hung out on their outdoor patio. All in all it was a great day. Mostly because I got to spend time with the fam! Man I can’t believe I’m about to say this but I don’t really think I would return to this festival though! It was too chaotic and just seemed to be a bunch of people standing around drinking. Okay I might return one more time but only if I can dress up like a pirate!!! Stay tuned until next year for that one. Ok y’all let me know in the comments below have you ever been and what did we do wrong to not make it a great experience? Until next time Caio for now. Social Media: Instagram - TheTravelingPisces Facebook - TheTravelingPisces Twitter - PiscesTraveling Our Gear: Canon Rebel T71 w/ Canon EFS 18-55mm Lens Go Pro Hero 7 Black