Going to Gasparilla this weekend in Tampa? Tweet @wusf with your photos. @GasparTampa #GASPARILLA2015
— WUSF (@wusf) January 29, 2015
Gasparilla season continues this weekend with the annual pirate invasion and parade in downtown Tampa. A new event this year is a concert with The Commodores on Friday at 6:30 p.m. at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park.
On Saturday, the pirate invasion flotilla starts at 11:30 a.m. near the Tampa Convention Center. The 3.8-mile parade of pirates runs from 2 p.m. until about 5:30 p.m, along Tampa's Bayshore Boulevard, into downtown. A full schedule of events is available here.
The Florida Department of Transportation says drivers will see increased traffic around Tampa, and event organizers expect more than 300,000 people to attend.
"You know, when you're moving that many people, it is a challenge, so if everybody can be patient with us, we'll get you in, we'll get you out, and safely," said Tampa Police Sgt. Jarrett Seal. "Hopefully, everybody adheres to having a designated driver, and that makes things move a lot smoother as well."
Parking is available at lots and garages throughout downtown Tampa and Ybor City. Amalie Arena, which is also hosting a Tampa Bay Lightning game on Saturday night, will have its parking lots available for pre-paid public parking for Gasparilla.
Street Closure Schedule from the City of Tampa’s Office of Special Events:
Sunday, January 18 – Sunday, February 1, 2015
Bayshore Blvd Crossover closure at DeSoto Ave, Nance Ave, Albany Ave & Gunby Ave
Friday, January 30, 2015 @ 10:00 PM
Bayshore Blvd from Gandy Blvd to Platt St/Channelside Dr
Bay to Bay from Bayshore Blvd to Ysabella St
Davis Islands Bridge Off Ramp onto NB Bayshore Dr
Saturday, January 31, 2015 @ 3:00 AM
Bayshore Blvd from Brorein St to Platt St
Platt St/Channelside Dr from Plant Ave to Franklin St
Saturday, January 31, 2015 @ 5:30 AM
Crosstown- EB Willow Ave Off Ramp (Exit 4)
Willow Ave from Platt St to Swann Ave (SB lanes closed only, 1-way NB)
Saturday, January 31, 2015 @ 7:00 AM
Ashley Dr from Brorein St to Jackson St
Brorein St from Florida Ave to Parker St
Franklin St from Channelside Dr to Harbour Island Bridge
Old Water St from Florida Ave to Franklin St
Washington St from Ashley Dr to Tampa St
Whiting St from Ashley Dr to Tampa St
Whiting St from Florida Ave to Franklin St (WB)
Saturday, January 31, 2015 @ 9:00 AM
Kennedy from Hyde Park Ave to Ashley Dr (EB)
Ashley Dr from Cass St to Jackson St
Jackson St from Ashley Dr to Tampa St
Kennedy Blvd from Florida Ave to Plant Ave (WB)
Madison St from Ashley Dr to Tampa St
Madison St from Florida Ave to Tampa St (WB)
Twiggs St from Ashley Dr to Tampa St
Twiggs St from Florida Ave to Tampa St (WB)
Zack St from Ashley Dr to Tampa St
Zack St from Florida Ave to Tampa St (WB)
Polk St from Ashley Dr to Tampa St
Polk St from Florida Ave to Tampa St (WB)
Tyler St from Florida Ave to Tampa St (WB)
Saturday, January 31, 2015 @ 11:00 AM
Cass St from Willow Ave to N Blvd
North A St from Willow Ave to Newport Ave
North B St from Willow Ave to Newport Ave
Fig St from Willow Ave to Gilchrist Ave
Carmen St from Willow Ave to Delaware Ave
Newport Ave from Cass St to North A St
Gilchrist Ave from Cass St to Fig St
Cass St from N Blvd to Ashley Dr (EB)
Saturday, January 31, 2015 @ 1:30 PM
Cass St from N Blvd to Tampa St
Tyler St from Tampa St to Cass St
Saturday, January 31, 2015 @ 3:00 PM
Bay-to-Bay Blvd from MacDill Ave to Ysabella Ave (EB)
Swann Ave from MacDill Ave to Armenia Ave (EB lanes closed only, 1-way WB)
Platt St at Howard Ave (EB) Platt St at S Blvd (EB)
Willow Ave from Kennedy Blvd to Cleveland St
Willow Ave from Cleveland St to Platt St (SB)
South Blvd from Kennedy Blvd to Cleveland St
South Blvd from Cleveland St to Platt St (SB)
St from Tampa St to Franklin St
Saturday, January 31, 2015 @ 4:30 PM
Kennedy Blvd at Himes Ave (EB)
Kennedy Blvd at MacDill Ave (EB)
Kennedy Blvd at Howard Ave (EB)
Kennedy Blvd at Willow Ave (EB)
Kennedy Blvd at Blvd (EB)
