TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Bead-Dazzling

ADVERTISEMENT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 27, 2008

It all comes down to finding your inner pirate. Thousands of Tampa Bay area residents found their personal Jose Gaspars on Saturday,

turning out in various stages of costume and cadence for the annual Gasparilla Parade of Pirates along Bayshore Boulevard. The clouds and occasional drizzle didn't stop the invasion - Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio turned over the key to the city, satisfying the demands of pistol-waving marauders. Cries of "Aargh!" and sounds of cannon fire signaled a parade was about to start. Heavily beaded and made-up pirates took

to ornately decorated floats for the annual bayside trek. Boaters in the flotilla that accompanied the Jose Gasparilla followed along with horns honking. Bead-seekers, many in piratelike outfits complete with makeup, jewelry, gold teeth and faux weaponry, shrieked as they caught their booty. Ahoy, pirates of old would be proud.

PHOTOS, VIGNETTES, This Section, Pages 12, 13

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT