Arrrrrrrr you ready for Tampa’s biggest and craziest day of the year? Gasparilla is often referred to as “Florida’s Mardi Gras” and features scruffy pirates storming off the world’s largest pirate ship and stealing the key to the city of Tampa. Trust me, it isn’t as scary as it sounds. Truthfully, it is just an excuse for the hundreds of thousands of attendees to dress in the best plastic bead-adorned attire and possibly drink a little more alcohol than they should.
This year will be my fourth Gasparilla, Gaspy for short, and while I am not an expert on pirates or parades, I have discovered what works well and what doesn’t. This is a list of my do’s and don’ts for this year’s Gasparilla.
DO wear comfortable shoes
I know your outfit might be cuter or more ‘piratey’ in those really cute black-heeled boots you have sitting in the back of your closet, but you have to trust me on this one. Nearly all roads near downtown Tampa or the parade route close, leaving everyone to walk anywhere and everywhere they need to go. I have walked over 10 miles a couple of years in a row, and if I hadn’t been in comfortable shoes, I probably would have called it a day an hour prior.
DON’T rely on Ubers to take you anywhere
Again, roads across the city are closed for Gasparilla, so it is important to have a plan for transportation that doesn’t rely on cars. For most, it’s walking. If you do manage to get an Uber that will take you where you need to go, chances are it will be
DO eat a large breakfast
It is so important to eat a big breakfast on Gaspy, especially if you are planning on having drinks. You will be walking several miles and standing outside for a long time, so you need as much energy as possible. I also highly recommend having an early night on the Friday before to ensure you have the most restful sleep possible.
Don’t lose your group
Cell service is notoriously spotty on Gaspy because of the huge numbers of people trying to access the networks. Oftentimes, there is no cell service whatsoever, so it is very hard to meet up with people you didn’t arrive with, so be sure to stick with your people the whole time.
do go to the parade early
In my opinion, watching the parade on Bayshore Boulevard is the best part of Gaspy. If you get there early, there is a very good chance you can be right on the barricade and get as many beads as possible. You’ll also have the best view of all the amazing and elaborate floats that come down.
Hopefully, these tips can help you have a great Gasparilla, and if you’re planning on going this year, maybe I’ll see you there!