Tampa's annual Gasparilla celebration doesn't end with the pirates' invasion and parade along Bayshore Boulevard. The parties, road race, beauty pageant, art festival and other events continue for weeks. Many South Tampa residents adorn their houses and yards with pirate-themed decorations, helping to keep themselves and others in high spirits for the duration of the Gasparilla season. ...more

February 11, 2009

Ideal weather might have been the hallmark of the 2009 Southwest Airlines Gasparilla Pirate Fest. After a spate of cold, winter weather, Saturday's blue skies and warm temperatures greeted thousands of revelers who lined Bayshore Boulevard and streamed into downtown Tampa to encounter a bloodthirsty band of pirates whose annual invasion is Tampa's signature event. ...more

February 8, 2009

Tampa's annual pirate festivities are well under way. ...more

February 7, 2009

Ye Mystic Crew of Gasparilla stopped by MacDonald Training Center recently to kick off its pirate invasion celebrations. The pirates spread their cheer each year, and the individuals at the center appreciate the visit. ...more

February 4, 2009

Senior Hannah Shoop scored 11 points and the Sebring girls basketball team led the entire way and hit its free throws late to nab a 41-35 upset victory from Braden River on Tuesday at the Class 4A-District 10 tournament at Avon Park High School. ...more

February 3, 2009

Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla "pirates" disembarked from their ship/float Tuesday afternoon at downtown's Lykes Gaslight Park and demanded to speak with Mayor Pam Iorio. "Where's the mayor? We want the mayor!" the pirates said. Pirates led Iorio to the park from Tampa City Hall, across Kennedy Boulevard. The mayor refused to hand over the city to the pirates as a crowd of onlookers took photographs, shot video and collected beads and plastic swords from the pirates. ...more

February 3, 2009

Wild parties, beer bongs and thousands of rowdy revelers make for a pretty exciting event. But throw in some pirates and you'll see how Tampa residents really like to party. ...more

January 31, 2009

After battling into overtime earlier in the week, the Sebring boys soccer team couldn't help but feel confident about facing another bit of extra play on Wednesday against Palmetto in the Class 4A-District 10 semifinal at Harllee Stadium. ...more

January 30, 2009

Braden River scored five goals in the first 20 minutes of play and cruised to an 8-0 mercy rule victory over Avon Park in the quarterfinals of the Class 4A-District 10 tournament game at Harllee Stadium on Tuesday. ...more

January 27, 2009

Look out Jose Gaspar, an invastion of 3-foot pirates is storming around Bayshore Boulevard. ...more

January 24, 2009