Gasparilla, Tampa's annual celebration of pirates, will be taking place Saturday, and Mayor Bob Buckhorn sees it as a signature event for his city.
"We love doing this. This is part of our DNA," the mayor said at a press conference Monday.
But there'll be even more traffic than usual this year because the festival and parade coincide with NHL All-Star Game activities.
Rob Higgins, the executive director of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission, expects the increased number of tourists will boost the local economy.
"We do think it'll be about 7,000 out of town visitors that'll result in somewhere between 8,500-11,000 hotel visitor room nights," Higgins said.
The Pirate Fest and parade (see parade route map) is expected to attract around 300,000 people to downtown Tampa and Bayshore Boulevard, and Tampa Police are as ready as they can be.
"We have a pretty good game plan, but it's always the unexpected that we're looking out for," said TPD Chief Brian Dugan. "I cannot preach enough for people to have patience and plan ahead, and think out what they're going to do for that day."
While All-Star Game-related events start Friday evening, Gasparilla Fest activities begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, and the parade kicks off at 2 p.m. (see a schedule of events here).
For general information on Gasparilla-related events, text 'Gasparilla' to 888-777.
Details on the street closures and the parking and traffic plan for the Gasparilla event is best found via the City of Tampa’s Special Event Office website or by calling 813-274-8750.
The Florida Department of Transportation encourages travelers to use the 511 Traveler Information System before hitting the road to stay up-to-date on crashes, congestion and construction along their route. The 511 system provides information on all of Florida’s interstates, toll roads and other major metropolitan roadways, including those traveling near Gasparilla Pirate Fest.
For real-time traffic updates, travelers can call 511 toll free, visit FL511.com, download the free 511 mobile app on Apple App Store or Google Play, or follow FL511 on Twitter.
WUSF News will also have updates throughout the weekend on Twitter.
STREET CLOSURE SCHEDULE
Sunday, January 14–Thursday, February 1, 2018
Median Closures at DeSoto Ave, Nance Ave, Albany Ave & Gunby Ave at Bayshore Blvd
Friday, January 26, 2018 @ 10:00 PM
Bayshore Blvd from Gandy Blvd to Platt St
Bay to Bay from Bayshore Blvd to Ysabella St
Davis Islands Bridge Off Ramp onto NB Bayshore Dr
Saturday, January 27, 2018 @ 3:00 AM
Bayshore Blvd from Brorein St to Platt St
Platt St/Channelside Dr from Plant Ave to Franklin St
Saturday, January 27, 2018 @ 5:30 AM
Selmon Expressway - EB Willow Ave Off Ramp (Exit 4)
Willow Ave from Platt St to Swann Ave (SB lanes closed only, 1-way NB)
Saturday, January 27, 2018 @ 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)
Selmon Expressway EB Morgan off ramp (6B)
Saturday, January 27, 2018 @ 9:00 AM
Kennedy from Hyde Park Ave to Ashley Dr (EB)
Jackson St from Ashley Dr to Tampa St
Kennedy Blvd from Florida Ave to Plant Ave (WB)
Madison St from Ashley Dr to Florida Ave
Twiggs St from Ashley Dr to Florida Ave
Zack St from Ashley Dr to Florida Ave
Polk St from Ashley Dr to Florida Ave
Cass St (EB) from Willow Ave to Doyle Carlton (Poe Exit)
Saturday, January 27, 2018 @ 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
Saturday, January 27, 2018 @ 1:00 PM
Cass St from Doyle Carlton Dr to Tampa St
Tyler St from Ashley Dr to Tampa St
Saturday, January 27, 2018 @ 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)
Whiting St from Tampa St to Franklin St
Saturday, January 27, 2018 @ 5:00 PM
Kennedy Blvd at Himes Ave (EB)
Kennedy Blvd at MacDill Ave (EB)
Saturday, January 27, 2018 @ 6:30 PM
Kennedy Blvd at Howard Ave (EB)
Kennedy Blvd at Willow Ave (EB)
Kennedy Blvd at Blvd (EB)
City of Tampa Public Parking Options
Tampa Convention Center Garage
(Tampa St. & Brorein St.), will open at 7:00 AM at a rate of $10 per vehicle entry.
Ft. Brooke Garage
(Whiting St., between Franklin St. & Florida Ave.) will open at 7:00 AM at a rate of $10 per vehicle entry.
Poe Garage
(Ashley St., south of Cass St.) At 7:30 AM at a rate of $10 per vehicle entry.
Due to the parade route this garage will be closed from 1:00 PM until 6:00 PM. Customers will not be able to enter or exit this garage until after 6:00 PM. For those attending the Straz 8:30 PM show, Poe Garage will reopen at 6:30 PM and there will be a $10.00 flat rate paid on entry.
Twiggs St. Garage
(Twiggs St., west of Nebraska Ave.) will be open at 7:00 AM at normal hourly rates of $1.20/hr, with a $7 daily maximum. This will be an automated facility with a paystation collecting payment on the exit.
Centro Ybor Garage
(5th Ave and 15th St) will be open at 6 AM at the standard hourly rate with a $9.00 maximum.
Palm Ave Garage
(13th St and 9th Ave) will be open at 6 AM at the standard hourly rate with a $9.00 maximum.
Royal Regional Lot
(Tampa St. & Fortune St.) will be open at 7:00 AM at a rate of $10 per vehicle.
Meters south of Kennedy Blvd. and on Kennedy Blvd will be enforced from 8:00 AM until midnight.
Contact the city of Tampa Parking Division at (813) 274-8179 for parking related questions.
For access to downtown and south Tampa from historic Ybor City, consider using the following garages and utilizing HART services:
• Centro Ybor and Palm Avenue Garages - will open at 7 AM at the standard hourly rate.
HART park and ride available from both locations.
HART will be offering extra streetcar, bus, and trolley services. For more information about HART service during this special event, please call (813) 254-4278 or visit www.goHART.org.
Getting to the Straz Center
Drivers attending the 8 PM and 8:30 PM shows of “Cabaret” at the Straz Center are encouraged to take one of the following routes:
From South Tampa
- Dale Mabry NB to I-275 NB
- I-275 NB to Exit 44 Ashley Dr.
- Continue on Ashley Dr. to Tyler St
- Right on Tyler St to available parking
From Brandon
- I-4 WB to Downtown Exit 45A
- Follow Downtown West sign to Doyle Carlton Dr.
- Left on Doyle Carlton Dr. through Laurel St to available parking
From St. Pete/Clearwater
- I-275 NB to Exit 44 Ashley Dr.
- Continue on Ashley Dr. to Tyler St
- Right on Tyler St to available parking
From North Tampa
- South on Tampa St to Laurel St
- Right on Laurel St to Doyle Carlton Dr.
- Left on Doyle Carlton Dr. to available parking.
OR
- I-1275 SB to Downtown Exit 45A
- Follow Downtown West sign to Doyle Carlton Dr.
- Left on Doyle Carlton Dr. through Laurel St to available parking.
