Patch Minute: Gasparilla Pirate Fest
What's going on in New Tampa and beyond? Check out this Patch Minute for weekend event suggestions.
The 109th Gasparilla Pirate Festival is coming up this weekend, and Don Barnes, executive officer for Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, is ready. In a warehouse in downtown Tampa, pirate floats and convertibles for dignitaries are just waiting to saunter down the parade route for an expected audience of more than 200,000 people. “We’ve been doing this for 109 years, and our goal is to make sure it goes on for another 109 years,” said Barnes, who spends the whole year planning for the annual event. The way to reach that goal is to focus on safety. “We’ve really been pushing for what we call ‘Responsibility Matters,’ ” he said. “Responsibility Matters” is an educational campaign that aims to stop underage drinking. It’s a concerted effort that …
