It all started when Jose Gaspar began terrorizing the Gulf of Mexico as a pirate, amassing huge amounts of treasure and escaping the U.S. Navy in harrowing tales. More famously known as “Gasparilla”, Gaspar is a Tampa legend for his cruel punishments for hostages, romantic tales, and the overall mystery surrounding his life and death. Except for the fact that he isn’t real.
Gasparilla originated in 1904, first celebrated in the during the May Day festival to celebrate the Florida tall tale; this quickly turned into a fun tradition for Tampa citizens.
According to 813 Area, “secret meetings led to the development of the first Gasparilla Krewe, ‘Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla’, which would make Gasparilla history by surprising Tampa residents with a mock pirate attack on the city that is now known as the Pirate Invasion today.”
Over the years, the Krewe has improved their show, and now Tampa owns the world’s only fully rigged pirate ship, that still makes an appearance every year. Other than The Pirate Invasion remaining the same, the parade has greatly changed for the better, becoming its own holiday with many new floats and acts.
Logan Williford (’25) works in the parade by restocking and washing the floats.
“Gasparilla definitely unites our community,” Williford said. “I’ve myself met a lot of people through Gasparilla, and even noticing people in the crowd, making new friends.”
Robinson’s own Culinary students appeared on a float during this year’s Children’s Parade.
“I believe Gasparilla significantly brings the Tampa community together to share a special tradition unique to us,” Jordyn Johnson (’24) said. “I did the parade to feel the pirate spirit of Gasparilla and to connect more with the local chefs of Tampa who help raise money for culinary students through the VooDoo Foundation.”
