"Capt. Jose Gaspar" and his crew of "Pirates" "attack" Tampa, surrounded by hundreds of other boaters as they sail the Gasparilla Ship through Tampa Bay, land in downtown Tampa and "take over the city." (The first Gasparilla Invasion in 1904 originated on horseback instead of by boat).

The artwork is displayed in the exhibit as a 10x30 inch photograph printed on cotton rag paper. The unmounted image printed on paper (easily shipped in a sturdy tube for framing by your local frame shop) is $125.00. Or contact us about various custom framing and mounting options.

This image is available printed on either paper or canvas in a range of sizes from 8x24 inches to 14x40 inches.

Gasparilla Pirate Fest is an annual celebration held in the streets and waterways of Tampa. The history and name traces back to legends about the antics of a pirate called Jose Gaspar. Gaspar reputedly patrolled the waters of West Florida during the late 18th century. A society columnist with the Tampa Tribune is credited with creating a May festival in 1904 that first incorporated a pirate-inspired theme. The original members of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla stormed Tampa on horseback before becoming seaworthy in 1911.

The festivities begin when the world's only fully-rigged pirate ship sails into the heart of Tampa.. Built entirely of steel, the black-hulled "Jose Gasparilla" measures 165 feet in length and is topped by three masts that tower 100 feet above deck. Tugboats tow the craft and its crew of 700 pirates with flags flying and cannons booming as the vessel makes its way through Hillsborough Bay. The pirate ship is joined by hundreds of pleasure craft and vessels of all shapes and sizes.  The pirates land at the convention center in downtown Tampa. The mayor of Tampa then lends the key of the city to the pirate captain.

A parade then follows down Bayshore Boulevard. The krewes throw beads, coins and other items while shooting blank pistols from floats during the parade. The average attendance for the event is over 400,000 people. Gasparilla, held each year in late January, has often been referred to as the Mardi Gras of Tampa.