Gasparilla 2013
By Chris Ingram
My wife Amy and I lost our Gasparilla virginity yesterday. Neither of us being fans of big drunken crowds had since avoided the festivities on Bayshore like the plague. Last year we were invited to attend Mayor Buckhorn’s tent but couldn’t go. Invited again this year, we left the kids with friends and made our way down to Bayshore to attend the annual event. We had a good time people watching. Some photos of the festivities are shown below. Gasparilla wasn’t on our “bucket list” but at least we can now say we’ve done it.
Click any photo to enlarge.
That would be former Governor Bob Martinez in swashbuckler attire.
Ana Cruz helps TPD Chief Castor lead off the parade.
Who invited Johnny Depp?
This guy has some big balls — er, beads.
- Hey, that pirate is kissing my wife!
- What’s a pirate invasion without Captain Morgan?
Sen. Bill Nelson almost falls off his car.
This gal had the attention of a lot of pirates.
I’ll take $100 on the Ravens!
You’d never know the beads people so covet aren’t actually made of gold.
Dunkin’ Donuts’ best customer.
A off-duty deputy from Polk County minds a house on Bayshore.
What would Jesus say about Gasparilla?
Parade watchers struggle for beads.
Float with keg (nice!).
Hillsborough Sheriff’s office motorcycle unit.
Oh no, I dropped one of the 500 strings of beads I’ve collected!
Thanks for posting. Nice colorful pictures.
Not one picture of the Rough Riders? Without a doubt one of the largest and most charitable of all the Krewes! (shameless plug) Gasparilla is what it is, but the best place for the corporate tents, vendors and grandstands is downtown Tampa. Leave the Bayshore to the residents of that area and promote our downtown with after parade festivities for the thousands that could enjoy music, food and other forms of entertainment that would showcase the great city of Tampa. Chris see you at Rotary today?