Gasparilla Invasion – 2009 February 9, 2009

The Gasparilla Flotilla... (click on image for more photos)

Saturday, we boarded the Arcon to join in on the annual Gasparilla Invasion of Tampa.  This consists of a gaggle of ships, boats and other floating craft forming a flotilla around the Jose Gasparilla pirate ship as she travels across Hillsborough Bay and into the heart of downtown Tampa where the pirates take over the city for a day of celebration and festivities including the Gasparilla Parade.  I have posted a number of  photos and one video on my Flickr site and, for those interested in a little history of Gasparilla, a couple of additional links.  Click on the above image to access my Flickr Album:

THE LEGEND OF GASPARILLA:
MYTH AND HISTORY ON FLORIDA’S WEST COAST  (see page 5 of this publication)

SHORT VIDEO OF THE GASPARILLA PIRATE FEST

Here are some ADDITIONAL PHOTOS from the files of the Tampa Tribune.