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Petite Pirates To Invade Bayshore

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 17, 2008

TAMPA - Bayshore Boulevard is being transformed again this year into a pirate's paradise of beaded booty for children young and old.

The annual Gasparilla festivities start Jan. 19 with the alcohol-free Gasparilla Extravaganza, a daylong event suited for children and families.

The party starts at noon with vendors and children's activities set up along Bayshore from Bay to Bay Boulevard to Rome Avenue.

The Preschoolers' Stroll, from Bay to Bay to Howard Avenue, begins at 2 p.m. for children 5 and younger. It's followed by the first of two Air Invasions, featuring a variety of aircraft, at 3:30 p.m.

The Gasparilla Children's Parade, from Bay to Bay to Watrous/Orleans avenues, runs from 4 to 6 p.m. and is followed by the second aerial display at 6:15 p.m.

The day wraps up with a fireworks display, also known as the "Piratechnic" Extravaganza. The fireworks, which begin at 7 p.m., set the stage for the Jan. 26 Gasparilla Pirate Fest, when mythical pirate Jose Gaspar and his band of followers invade the city aboard the Jose Gasparilla, take the key to the city from the mayor, then pillage, plunder and revel during brunch at the Tampa Convention Center and along the Bayshore parade route.

Darrell Stefany of Eventmakers, which produces Gasparilla, said the time of the fireworks was pushed back half an hour later than previous years to accommodate being broadcast on WTVT, Channel 13.

In addition, the fireworks show will feature five 16-inch shells as part of the presentation. Typical fireworks shells are 12 inches, Stefany said.

The larger shells break higher and larger than typical shells, he said.

"We're ramping things up a little bit," he said. "We are delighted to have a chance once a year to do a great celebration out there."

Two free shuttle stops have been set up from downtown's Fort Brooke parking garage to transport paradegoers to the event. The stops are at Bay to Bay and the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway, and at Swann Avenue and Bayshore, said Stefany.

The event is free, but tickets for reserved bleacher seating cost $13. This is the first year the bleachers are reserved rather than general admission, Stefany said.

EVENT PREVIEW

WHAT: Gasparilla Extravaganza, including the annual Gasparilla Children's Parade

WHEN: Noon to 7:30 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: Along Bayshore Boulevard from Bay to Bay Boulevard to Watrous and Orleans avenues.

SCHEDULE: Preschoolers' Stroll, 2 to 3:30 p.m.; Air Invasion, 3:30 and 6:15 p.m.; Children's Parade, 4 to 6 p.m.; Piratechnic Extravaganza (fireworks), 7 to 7:30 p.m.

COST: Free admission; reserved seating along parade route is $13

MORE INFO: (813) 353-8108 or gasparillaextravaganza.com

This event is sponsored by The Tampa Tribune.

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