It was the spring of 1822, and the waters of the bay lay eerily still. Jose Gaspar stood at the helm of his latest ship, taken from merchants and now flying the Skull and Crossbones flag. Suddenly, he spotted the ship, USS Enterprise, and knew a battle would soon erupt. So he quickly ordered his men to guide their ship between several small islands in Charlotte Harbor.

Gaspar's most trusted friend, Juan Gomez, organized a team of ten men, and they carried ashore in a longboat twenty chests of precious jewels and metals to hide away until they could return for them. But before the men could return to the ship for another load, the USS Enterprise began to move in on the pirate ship. Gaspar looked at the far-off figure of Juan, and whispered, "Go with God, my friend." He straightened his shoulders and shouted, "Away men, afore they take us!"

Juan saw the Enterprise as well, but he had little time to think about the crew still on board with Gaspar. He motioned to the men with him, who had just unloaded the last of the chests. "Move them back in, mates, and quickly now."

Juan grabbed the leather strap of a raven-black chest studded with silver. "We've no time to waste. The ship is lost!"

Cannon fire sounded across the bay, and the acrid smell of powder and burning wood wafted in with the tide. The men moved quickly, reloading the longboat, and slipped away.

The group rowed speedily, following the Peace River to Spanish Homestead, the property of Lady Boggess. She was easily bribed by a small chest of coins, and promised to tell any who might ask that Juan Gomez and his men had not travelled her way.

Juan ordered the men to burn the longboat. They were forced to leave part of their treasure with it, not being able to carry the entire load on foot. Legend has it that the rest of the treasure is buried somewhere in the vast network of streams and swamps in the Peace River area.

Jose Gaspar's bold renegade spirit lives on in present-day Florida.
Almost a century has passed since the first members of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla put on their most colorful pirate costumes, boarded their ship and sailed into Tampa's harbor. Since 1904, this celebration renews the spirit of adventure by reenacting a takeover of the downtown area by pirates.

The three-day festival, held in January, is one of the country's largest and most unique outdoor celebrations. The celebration begins when the massive black-hulled pirate ship, "Jose Gasparilla", named after the pirate who sailed around the Florida coast in the early part of the century, invades Tampa. The ship measures 165 feet length with three 100-foot masts, and is the only fully rigged pirate ship in the world.

With pirate flags flying and cannons thundering, the ship and its crew of 700 is towed by tugs along Hillsborough Bay followed by hundreds of participating boats and krewes. The Captain and his Krewe debark and capture the city - with very little resistance - and then share their wealth in unpirately fashion by throwing doubloons and beads to the crowds.

Krewe members arm themselves with beads.

Another participating krewe - and possibly the most unique - are the Grace O'Malleys, an all female group who take their name from the infamous pirate daughter of clan chieftain Dubhdara O'Malley. When a group of 14 women found that the Mystic Krewe was adverse to the thought of women joining up with them, the women decided to form their own group. Although a challenge to be recognized by the Gasparilla Krewe community, the women persevered, and in 1993, the Grace O'Malleys debuted in the Gasparilla Parade.

Ye Loyal Krewe of Grace O'Malley

Dressing in period costume, the O'Malley Krewe doesn't stop at the parade. They visit nursing homes, hospitals and schools during the festival season and bring trinkets to those who cannot participate on their own. The Krewe now numbers 175, and has been invited to participate in parades in neighboring states.

Front and back view of special edition collector cards

Average attendance for the Gasparillafest exceeds 400,000. With the support of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, participating krewes now totaling 24, and event sponsors, Gasparillafest also donates to local charities, with donations totaling over $100,000.

The parade begins south of downtown on Bayshore Blvd. and continues along Hillsborough Bay into downtown. The Pirate Fest Street Festival was added in 1985. It continues into the night with a musical celebration on stages through out downtown Tampa. In recent years notables such as the Backstreet Boys, Eddie Money and Paula Abdul have attended the festival. In 1995 the festival was moved to Curtis Hixon Park from Franklin Street in order to accommodate a larger group.

So, mateys, what are you waiting for? A treasure of beads and bangles, music and merriment and swashbuckling good fun await you in Tampa!

If You Go: Events for the year 2001 will run from January 26th through January 28th to coincide with SUPERBOWL XXXV weekend. The invasion and parade are followed by an arts and crafts show, street festivals featuring local and national entertainment, and a fireworks display. Check out these websites: http://gasparillapiratefest.com: This site will connect visitors to lodging and travel information. http://treasurehunt.about.com: This site gives information on how to search for Jose Gaspar's lost treasure! http://www.gotampa.com: For information on lodging and restaurants, and other Tampa attractions. OR Call 813-353-8108 for Gasparilla Pirate Fest travel and lodging information. Take a closer look at Ye Loyal Krewe of Grace O'Malley The Tale of Grace O'Malley

Photos courtesy of Ye Loyal Krewe of Grace O'Malley

Although a novice at plundering and pillaging, Rosemarie Colombraro is always on the lookout for an adventure. She invites your comments at Birdinwhite@aol.com