Tampa, Florida - Gasperilla in Tampa

by dcwnewyork2002

Gasperilla in Tampa: This place was Great; Visited Tampa during it's 'Gasperilla' festival part re-enactment of a pirate invasion, part mardi gras. It features a parade of all sorts of watercraft by Davis Island, a sort of wealthy mostly single family house neighbourhood adjoining Tampa's small downtown. All the boats fly pirate flags and throw beads to the spectators and sometimes they throw throw them back. The boat parade is followed by a mardi gras type parade on Bayfront Drive with 'krewes' and more bead throwing which is always fun. Most of the crowds are a bit drunk but mostly friendly and reasonably orderly and many are dressed in pirate themed costume. The women that dressed as pirate wenches, in beach attire or were flashing were quite amusing...
Tampa is a smaller city than you may expect, most of it is sprawled out but there is some urban revitalisation. Portions of the freeway network are being rebuilt or finished so watch out in rush hour.