TAMPA, Fla. — Yes, Bay area friends, it's almost that time again!

The time to break out the costumes and props, talk in funny accents and take to the streets!

What? No, no, the Bay Area Renaissance Festival isn't back yet. And no, no, Star Wars Celebration isn't coming to town.

Wait! No, not that one, either. Tampa Comic-Con isn't until August. 

Alright, fine! We have lots of reasons to play dress-up in public in Tampa, but this is the most important one — it's Gasparilla time, starting Jan. 19 with weekend events continuing through March. Arrrrr!

But what does that mean, you ask? Why does Tampa go all pirate crazy every year, right down to scurvy scallywags sailing into Tampa Bay and "sacking" the mayor's office?

Time for a salty bit of history!

Who was José Gaspar?

Legend tells us that the notorious pirate José Gaspar, also known by his nickname, Gasparilla, based his nefarious operations out of an island off the coasts of Lee and Charlotte counties.

From there, he raided and plundered shipping lanes and towns along the Gulf Coast, doing what pirates are wont to do -- yo ho, yo ho, a pirate’s life for him and all that good stuff. According to josegaspar.net, he was credited with capturing over 400 ships between 1789 and 1821, and supposedly he buried his enormous treasure on the island he called home, known in modern times as  --- surprise! – Gasparilla Island.

The legends also say Gasparilla met his end after attempting one last capture. He thought he was going after a British trader, but he realized too late the ship he was attacking was the United States Navy pirate hunting schooner U.S.S. Enterprise.

The Enterprise tore Gaspar’s ship to shreds with cannon fire, but the pirate would not be taken alive. Instead, he wrapped a heavy chain around himself and leaped from the bow of his ship into the murky depths of the ocean.

None of Gasparilla’s treasure was ever recovered.

So what's this about a party?

The Gasparilla Pirate Fest celebrates the colorful life of Gasparilla, the “Last Buccaneer,” and the city’s ties to the legend.

Every year, the world’s only remaining fully-operational pirate ship, the José Gasparilla, leads a flotilla of ships carrying 750 “pirates” into Tampa Bay, firing its cannons and demanding the city’s surrender.

And every year, the city surrenders. The pirates then take to the streets in a huge celebratory parade, with floats and pirate krewes taking over the streets of Downtown Tampa. The party continues on through the night with the Gasparilla Street Festival, featuring food, live music, and entertainment.

The Gasparilla Parade of Pirates is recognized as the third-largest parade in the United States.

The full slate of Gasparilla-themed events actually begins in late January, and ends in March. CLICK HERE for a listing of this year's major events.

So do I have to dress up?

No, not everyone dresses up, but getting into the spirit of things is certainly encouraged.

Consider it the one occasion on the calendar in Tampa Bay when you can put on an eye-patch and answer everyone who speaks to you with “Arrrrr!”

What’s not to love about that?