Gasparilla? (Tampa: to buy, live, areas)

[crazynip]

Originally Posted by ferret111

I know you're not allowed to bring in coolers. I'm pretty sure they made you dump stuff out if you tried to carry it in.

That sucks. Last time I went, you could bring in coolers. I had a nice one on wheels, some people had little kids wagons with multiple coolers in them. What was their reasoning for this? They trying to make money off Gasparilla? Weak...

[saltzman143]

Gasparilla is not just the "drunken" parade/invasion on a Saturday in January. It's also the children's parade (which, for all the people who hate the drunks, this should be your event), the arts fest, the marathon, the other parades, the parties, the month-plus long festive atmosphere that takes over Tampa.

When I fiirst moved here I thought the whole thing seemed idiotic.

Now that I have been here a while I think it's a very unique and joyful celebration of Tampa's history (after all it's been going on for more than 100 years). What other festival does this region have that even comes close?

I now actually think it's an extremely UNDER-rated series of events that Tampa should showcase all over the world in an effort to bring in more tourist revenue. I can guarantee that there are prolly millions of people OUTSIDE of Tampa who would DIE to be walking in 72-degree sunshine in January down Bayshore Boulevard wearing pirate garb and having a great time.

I think Tampa does a crappy job of marketing this festival (and by festival I mean ALL the events as a whole). I guess it's another symptom of small thinking. Just because some people get drunk and "messy" during ONE of the Gasp. events doesn't mean we shouldn't try to get more exposure (and attendance) for Tampa's month-long yearly chance to shine. We just need to do a better job of managing the events (and the people) -- and then sit back and enjoy the economic boost come January, when most cities are in the negative and most consumers are not spending.

[Sunscape]

Originally Posted by saltzman143

Gasparilla is not just the "drunken" parade/invasion on a Saturday in January. It's also the children's parade (which, for all the people who hate the drunks, this should be your event), the arts fest, the marathon, the other parades, the parties, the month-plus long festive atmosphere that takes over Tampa.

When I fiirst moved here I thought the whole thing seemed idiotic.

Now that I have been here a while I think it's a very unique and joyful celebration of Tampa's history (after all it's been going on for more than 100 years). What other festival does this region have that even comes close?

I now actually think it's an extremely UNDER-rated series of events that Tampa should showcase all over the world in an effort to bring in more tourist revenue. I can guarantee that there are prolly millions of people OUTSIDE of Tampa who would DIE to be walking in 72-degree sunshine in January down Bayshore Boulevard wearing pirate garb and having a great time.

I think Tampa does a crappy job of marketing this festival (and by festival I mean ALL the events as a whole). I guess it's another symptom of small thinking. Just because some people get drunk and "messy" during ONE of the Gasp. events doesn't mean we shouldn't try to get more exposure (and attendance) for Tampa's month-long yearly chance to shine. We just need to do a better job of managing the events (and the people) -- and then sit back and enjoy the economic boost come January, when most cities are in the negative and most consumers are not spending.

I agree with you! It is an unique parade and they could do a better job at marketing!!

[Sunscape]

Gasparilla parade today!!

[Keeper]

I have several friends who belong to Krewes it is a great way to meet people too. They are always doing things together plus they go to parades all over the area.

I have been several times and years and years ago it was not that bad except for the girls pulling up their shirts. The only bad thing were all the ppl pushing trying to get to the front.

[Sunscape]

TBO Extra: Gasparilla |

[user8]

what an amazing event. so much fun.

[Kevin from Tampa]

I used to own (and live in) an apartment building two blocks off Bayshore in Hyde Park, and would host a Gasparilla party ever year there.

Now, I have kids and live in the burbs. I still love Gasparilla but don't go as much as I used to...kids have events, etc..but it's still fun. I just don't know that I'd trust anyone that "hates" Gasparilla...

[user8]

Originally Posted by Kevin from Tampa

I used to own (and live in) an apartment building two blocks off Bayshore in Hyde Park, and would host a Gasparilla party ever year there.

Now, I have kids and live in the burbs. I still love Gasparilla but don't go as much as I used to...kids have events, etc..but it's still fun. I just don't know that I'd trust anyone that "hates" Gasparilla...

agreed and rep'd.

i love it when people hide in fear of public events such at this. more room for everyone else on the crowded parade route. for what it's worth, i was there for 4 hours in the mid to late afternoon walking around with my wife and mother in law. we didn't see anything that made us feel unsafe, nor was there any drunken debauchery of merit. didn't see any women disrobing either (). lots of happy friendly people, younger folks, kids, elderly. i needed this. i needed to feel a sense of community in tampa for once.

got lots of beads, too.

[Sunscape]

That is good news!! Rep for U!
It is such a tradition here and I hate to see people from other places trashing it.