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Two Views Of Tampa's Gasparilla Parade

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 9, 2008

Boorish Behavior

Regarding "Gasparilla Parade Has Plenty Of Room For Improvement" (Letters, Feb. 2):

Every year, friends and I, about 15 of us, plan to catch beads at Gasparilla at 9 a.m. until whenever it is done. All of us were very disappointed with the parade and the people passing out beads.

They were nasty, going up to my girls and other young girls - ages 14, 15 and younger - kissing them to give them beads.

Some of the people in the parade were coming up to the fence line, stopping and waiting for my friend's daughter, who is 14, to show her boobs before giving her beads.

Some of the older men on floats were smoking cigars, drinking heavily and only threw beads to very young ladies they felt were attractive. Whatever happened to waving, smiling and showing everyone respect?

If people who are on the floats are not respecting nor have pride in what Gasparilla stands for, then what is the purpose in the event?

TONI LaTORRE

St. Petersburg

Parade Was A Thrill

The Gasparilla Parade celebration and all of the related festivities have come and gone for 2008, but the memories I have of it will not soon go away. I was present this year for the first time in over 30 years.

I must say that Tampa has become a premier city that all of its residents can he proud of. My wife and I were treated to great hospitality, friendliness and warmth from everyone we encountered. I have always boasted about Tampa and am proud to tell people I was born in Tampa General Hospital.

To my thrill, I was a guest pirate for the parade of the Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla. I have to tell you it was overwhelming to see all of the boats in the flotilla, the people lining the shores of Davis Islands and the ones at the convention center and surrounding areas downtown. The pirates I remember when I was little were awe-inspiring, and I was thrilled by what I experienced firsthand from many, if not all, of the young children in attendance.

G. STEVEN HEARING

Cowan, Tenn.

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