TAMPA, Fla. — Avast, ye scallywags!
Another successful Gasparilla parade is in the books as droves of pirates made their descent on Tampa Bay Saturday afternoon, bringing cannon blasts and beads to Bayshore Boulevard.
The third-largest parade in the U.S. boasted thousands of swashbuckling parade-goers lining downtown Tampa's streets as pirates shared their riches in the form of plastic medallions with the community.
Festivities kicked off with the Gasparilla invasion, where Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, the mythical José Gaspar's band of pirates, came ashore at the Tampa Convention Center, where they demanded the key to the city from Mayor Jane Castor.
Other city officials, organizations and local school marching bands also joined in on the celebration.
Pirates have been invading Tampa for 120 years now, and there were plenty of first-timers enjoying the long-honored tradition.
“Oh my gosh, it’s overwhelming, but in a good way," said Tia White, who came all the way from West Palm Beach for her first Gasparilla.
White was part of the massive crowds, hoping for pirates like Kathi Hitchman to throw them a bead.
She's a founding member of The Krewe of Sirens of the Golden Sabre, which has been in the parade since 2001.
"It’s a lot of fun. I think it puts the best face on our city, brings the tourists down, which is really good," said Hitchman.
The fun keeps going after sunset as The Krewe of St. Yago will hold the Illuminated Knight Parade in Ybor City.