Tampa, Florida -- If you plan on heading to Tampa to celebrate Gasparilla, we want to pass along some rules and parking information from the City of Tampa and Tampa Police.
A reminder... don't forget about the Zero Tolerance Policy! Police will be enforcing the city's new ordinance which allows them to write citations if you are caught with an open container of alcohol outside of the parade route, rather than taking you to jail.
Photo Gallery: Gasparilla Parade 2011 pictures
A first offense (for adults) will cost you $75. It's $150 for a second offense, $300 for a third offense and $450 for a fourth offense.
Schedule of Events:
Click: GasparillaPirateFest.com
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.: The Gasparilla Invasion: Jose Gasparilla sailes from south end of Hillsborough Bay toward the docks at the Tampa Convention Center
10 a.m.-1 p.m.: Gasparilla Invasion Brunch at the Tampa Convention Center
2 p.m.-5:30 p.m.: Gasparilla Parade of Pirates (Starts at Bayshore and Bay to Bay and ends at Cass Street and Ashley Drive)
10 a.m.-10 p.m.: Gasparilla Invasion celebration at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, at Ashley Drive between Madison and Polk)
From Tampa Police Department:
- Plan your day in advance. If you know where you're going to park and your route, it can save you time.
- Once you arrive, pick a meeting place so if you become separated, you have a place to meet. Text your parking location to your phone as a reminder of where you parked.
- The Lee Roy Selmon Expressway is a great route to take. There are convenient exits to the parade routes (beginning, middle and end)
- The parade route is a wet zone, you can drink alcohol, but only from the vendors selling along the parade route. Alcohol can only be consumed in approved areas along the parade route and this will be strictly enforced. No coolers, kegs or open containers are allowed. Absolutely no glass bottles.
Text "pirate" to 333222 to read the zero tolerance policy for Gasparilla on your smart phone.
Click: Tampagov.net: 2012 Gasparilla Information Page
From the City of Tampa: Parking
GASPARILLA PARADE PARKING BULLETIN
Tampa Convention Center Garage (Tampa St. & Brorein St.), will open at 5:00 am at a rate of $10 per vehicle entry.
South Regional Garage (Channelside Dr., between Florida Ave. & Morgan St.), will open at 6:00 am at a rate of $10 per vehicle entry.
Ft. Brooke Garage (Whiting St., between Franklin St. & Florida Ave.) will open at 6:00 am at a rate of $10 per vehicle entry. Monthly Parkers must pay at this location all day Saturday.
Whiting St. Garage (Whiting St., between Florida Ave. & Morgan St.) will open at 9:00 am at a rate of $10 per vehicle entry. Monthly Parkers must pay at this location all day Saturday.
Jackson St. Parking Lot (Florida Ave., between Jackson St. & Kennedy Blvd) will open at 7:00 am at a rate of $10 per vehicle entry. Monthly Parkers must pay at this location all day Saturday.
Poe Garage (Ashley St., south of Cass St.) will be open from 6am to 10am at a rate of $4 per vehicle entry.
Twiggs St. Garage (Twiggs St., west of Nebraska Ave.) will be open at 6:00 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.
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) 274-8445 for parking related questions.
Click: HART: Street car and bus service for Gasparilla
All information courtesy of Tampa Police, the City of Tampa and Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla.
Related Links:
Tampa Gasparilla Parade alcohol rules
Gasparilla Parade 2012 this weekend: The pirates are coming!
2012 Gasparilla: Pirate name generator
City of Tampa announces new law to enforce Gasparilla zero tolerance policy
The history behind Gasparilla's Children's Parade
Gasparilla can cost you a king's booty