All Things Gasparilla

[Julia Gorzka]

I'm gathering insights, advice and tips on the various ways you can enjoy Gasparilla...

Building upon my 7 years living on the parade route and experience as Queen Venus XXXVIII riding on the Krewe of Venus royal float - here's my 2 cents:

Don't have plans yet and wondering where you can watch the parade outside of the big crowds? the closer you can be to the start of the parade route the better. The crowds don't start getting thick until after Howard Avenue.

Best side to catch most beads? Bay side - once the parade starts you can't cross the street. This means come early, spread out a blanket, chairs and you are set for the day. The latecomers can not walk on your stuff or block your view because the bay side is the exclusive domain of early birds. I personally find this rule very annoying - you can cross the street at Mardi Gras so why not Gasparilla? but I digress...

Me? I love Gasparilla - the festivities, the merriment, the open container laws are suspended for a day (no glass please!) This year I'll be mixing Bloody Mary's by 8am as my guests arrive and to walk over to the convention center and board the Krewe of Venus boat to join the flotilla for the invasion. It's a whole other world from the water - bead tossing between boats and people watching. Post-invasion this year I'll be enjoying the parade around my building so if you are going to a party at 345 Bayshore look for me and say hi!

[Victoria]

Gotta remember hand sanitizer, toilet paper, wet wipes, and NO GLASS BOTTLES!

[Clark Jordan-Holmes]

The pirates are already aware of how to enjoy the festivities.

For others: Attend or stay home with good friends.
Be with kids of any age. Their joy is contagious.
Watch for those you know in the parade.
Create a mental list of who to look for in each crew and tell them where you will be.
Dress the part, at least to some degree.

Acknowledge that as ridiculous & juvenile as some may label this rite, it is still our rite & it is an avenue to create a sense of community. WE NEED AS MANY OF THOSE AVENUES AS WE CAN GET. ENJOY!

[Grant Rimbey]

I'm sure I'll get flack for this. I'm not a resident of Tampa but I find Gasparilla annoying, ever since the first parade I went to in the 1960s.

It is trying to be a legitimate festival, like Mardi Gras, a festival with some "reason for being", but it's not legitimate. I don't enjoy watching South Tampa folks badly pretending to be pirates and/or members of a make-believe socio-economic caste, while indulging in public intoxication and nudity.

The event is provincial and nouveau riche.

I also know that dissing Gasparilla is like raising taxes or saying that sports is over-emphasized regionally, such things are verboten.

[Sally Shifke]

If your downtown and have some time to kill, walk over to the Henry Plant Museum (UT campus) and view our new exhibit, Gasparilla's Rich and Famous Guests. This exhibit explores Tampa’s premier party, attended by a motley crew of the famous and infamous, the wanna-be’s and used-to-be’s, the beautiful people and bad dudes. Find out who they were as we highlight pirate’s booty and queen's gowns and crowns during the city’s only exhibit of Krewe of Gasparilla memorabilia. It's fun to see what Gasparilla used to look like when your about to participate in the moment!

[Rick]

A good suggestion for someone that wants to see the whole thing, is park downtown, or better yet, take a cab or bus downtown, and plan to get there around 11am. Have some breakfast or late breakfast at teh Sheraton along the Riverwalk, or just head to Harbour Island, and go to the side of the Wyndham Hotel on Harbour Island to watch the boats and Invasion come in(around 1230-1pm).
Then walk over to Bayshore Blvd, and find yourself a spot along the parade route...dont make any plans or have expectations, things ALWAYS change...be ready to deal with crowds, and lots and lots of very very HAPPY people...relax, be stress free, and enjoy!!

[Rick]

I was in 345 in 2006...what a great place to watch the parade....this year ill be around your area(behind 345 are 2 HUGE parties hosted by Tony Feline)...

[Gary Weisman]

One of the best places to enjoy gasparilla is Davis Island - - watching the pirate ship come in. Granted you will not get a seat on the parade route because you will not be near the parade route early, but the boats, the Krewes, and the bead tossing are equally enjoyable and its less crowded. Wave your hands madly, dress to impress, and you will find that boats wander over towards land to share their beads and good cheer with you. The road between the tennis courts and the airport along the east side of Davis Island is the best area. Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh!

[Paul]

Hello Grant, If you are not a resident why do you even care? Just leave us alone and we will continue to be the best city in the world. You stay where you are and dont bring your grumpiness into our beautiful city, obviously you just dont get it.
Happy Gasparilla to everyone!!!!!

Grant Rimbey said:

I'm sure I'll get flack for this. I'm not a resident of Tampa but I find Gasparilla annoying, ever since the first parade I went to in the 1960s.

It is trying to be a legitimate festival, like Mardi Gras, a festival with some "reason for being", but it's not legitimate. I don't enjoy watching South Tampa folks badly pretending to be pirates and/or members of a make-believe socio-economic caste, while indulging in public intoxication and nudity.

The event is provincial and nouveau riche.

I also know that dissing Gasparilla is like raising taxes or saying that sports is over-emphasized regionally, such things are verboten.

[alex petrilak]

Enjoy Gasparilla anywhere along the beautiful Tampa Riverwalk!
Western edge of Convention Center is prime real estate for the invasion.

[Julia Gorzka]

Here's the clip of my interview today on Channel 10 news talking about Brand Tampa and our Gasparilla tips!

[Melinda C. Hartline]

Wow you were Queen Venus? I used to be a member several years ago. Loved the experience. Son was one of the pages too. Love Zoila and Pepe... great people... Great exercise throwing beads to the masses of Tampa. If you can hear through the ear plugs, all of a sudden you have a lot of friends.

[Grant Rimbey]

"Gasparilla Critics To Show Evidence Of Bad Behavior"

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/feb/10/na-gasparilla-critics-to-sh...

& numerous videos on Wayne Garcia's blog:

http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/politicalwhore/