Why I don't like Gasparrilla

The Gasparilla Pirate Fest Parade is the last Saturday of January. Apparently we celebrate that the pirate Jose Gaspar once assaulted this City. When I first moved to Tampa, I went to both the day and the night parades. I hated them, specially the night parade. Gasparilla is an event that you either love or hate. Most people in Tampa LOVE Gasparilla.

I didn't go back for 11 years, until this past Saturday. My sister bought a house near Bayshore Boulevard and it was convenient to park there and then walk to the parade. Andre also hates Gasparilla, but the promise of a BBQ before the parade sounded like a good way to spend a Saturday afternoon. We were willing to give Gasparilla a second chance. 

We walked about one mile towards the beginning point of the parade. By the time we got there we  turned around and went back to my sister's house. It was nice to see several of the floats, but this is definitely not our thing. We saw all the floats lined up ready to meet the crowds. That was enough for 2 non Gasparilla lovers. I once heard someone saying that on this day South Tampa becomes Zoo Tampa. I don't think I could put it in better words. These are some of the reasons:

• People dress up as pirates. Seriously, this is not Halloween. I get the people IN the parade, but not every one else watching it. 
• People are drunk in the streets since early in the morning. I am not against drinking and having a good time, but they get completely out of control
• People go crazy trying to catch beads and they will hurt you if you are in the way. You get pushed many many times. This was the main reason for not going back for so many years. A plastic bead is not worth being pushed by ADULTS. Kids love beads, but I think the adults like them more
• Most men go for the real Gasparilla spectacle: women flashing in exchange for beads. I don't really care if they flash. The problem is that men think all women will do the same. Just think of the situation: drunk fools approaching you and offering beads for a peek. Not fun.
• I was not willing to pay up to $20 for parking. I have a place to park at  my sister's house now. I can't complain about this anymore
• I don't like parades. I don't think there is anything fun about it. Maybe I should have mentioned this first



Rivers of people before the parade started

Bayshore Boulevard

Downtown Tampa in the background

"Pirates" going to the parade

I had no idea Hillsborough County and Tampa had beauty queens

I don't understand all the craziness these plastic beads create

More floats

The best looking guy: 175 lbs!!

What it really looks like and the reason that we turned around. Photo Credit www.TBO.com

I'm sorry if I sound like a grump. I just don't like this day and wanted to share why. If you are ever in Tampa during Gasparilla weekend you might enjoy it. A lot of people like it including most of my friends and family. I am sure the City makes a lot of money out of this event and it will continue to happen every year. I do like the other events in town in honor of the pirates like the Gasparrilla Distance Classic, the Gasparrilla International Film Festival, and the Gasparrilla Festival of the Arts. The only thing that they have in common with the parade is the name and that they are scheduled around the same time of the year. I always forget to go to these events. This year I will definitely try to go to the film and art festivals.