Displaying items by tag: Pirate Fest

Tampa, FL (February 2009) - For many, the Gasparilla Pirate Fest is an excuse to have a party during the middle of the day. Approximately 500,000 people flock to Bayshore Boulevard in South Tampa to watch grown men dress up like pirates and toss plastic beads from brightly-colored floats, all while they indulge in more fun than they could possibly remember.

Even if someone has never been to the annual celebration of Tampa Bay’s pirate history, they know it means two things: beads and booze. But what most people don’t know about Gasparilla is, it’s all done in the name of a good cause. Every “krewe” (organization) involved in the parade, benefits a charity.  For example, The Krewe of Shamrock, the Thieves of San Lorenzo and the Krewe of Agustina de Aragon all benefit the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital.

The Mystic Krewe of the Nautilus is one of Gasparilla’s newer krewes, having been around for only five years. The krewe benefits both the Children’s Cancer Center and the Florida Aquarium, and holds several events throughout the year to raise money for these causes, all in addition to their participation in the annual Gasparilla parade.