Gasparilla Invasion in Tampa

We got an invitation from Nelson Construction, one of the contractors in my husband's project, in the "Gasparilla" party last Saturday in Tampa. They sponsored a tent where Nelson's employees and guests could watch the parade in front row seats with sumptuous food and endless supply of alcohol and beverages.

Gasparilla started in 1904 when the mystical legend of Jose Gaspar came to life. Gaspar and his scar-faced, eye patch-wearing band of pirates soon became well known to Tampa residents as Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla. Donned in the garb of high seas pirates they stormed downtown Tampa and demanded that the mayor surrender the city.

Each year the siege is repeated. The pirate ship 'Jose Gaspar' sails into downtown Tampa with a flotilla of hundreds of boats. The pirates blast away with pistols and cannons as they prepare to start the invasion. The captain and his Krewe capture the city (with little resistance) and share their wealth of trinkets, dabloons and necklaces with the enthusiastic crowd along the parade route.

Give me beads! Give me beads!

That was the chant coming form the crowd as thousands or perhaps millions of beads keep flying by for the crowd to catch. Southwest Airlines distributed loot bags and I was able to fill 2 bags of beads. I could have more but I gave every other catch to my little friend Luke, who is only as tall as the fence separating us from the parade. Poor Luke, the pirates are too busy looking for boobsies to throw their trinkets to. So I decided I should share my loot to him. One for me, one for Luke and he went home a very happy kid with 2 loot bags full of trinkets. My husband said to me while we were driving home: "I didn't know you get crazy over beads". OH darling, you don't know me still, I am a beady girl. You'll be surprised what I will make of those beads.

Thanks for the good fun, Nelson Construction.