Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla

Founded in 1904, Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, or YMKG, is Tampa, Florida's oldest and most prestigious krewe, or social organization. Each January, YMKG sponsors a festival called the Gasparilla Pirate Festival in Tampa re-enacting a pirate invasion of the city. The mock invasion begins with the Pirates sailing into Tampa Bay on a full scale pirate ship, accepting the surrender of Tampa from the mayor and culminates in a parade that is attended by approximately 750,000 people. YMKG's members dress like pirates in honor of the Krewe's namesake, José Gaspar, a mythical pirate who supposedly cruised the Gulf Coast of Florida during the 18th and 19th centuries.

In addition to sponsoring the Gasparilla Pirate Fest, Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla also sponsors the Children's Gasparilla Parade and the Gasparilla Piratechnic Extravaganza (a large fireworks display), which traditionally take place in Tampa the week before the Gasparilla Pirate Fest.

The focal point of Gasparilla is the pirate invasion. This invasion occurs every year as the member of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla cross Hillsborough Bay from the Ballast Point Pier to the Tampa Convention Center, dock and then sack the city of Tampa. The mayor ceremoniously grants the pirates the keys to the city and the celebration and parade ensue. Along with the "Jose Gaspar" hundreds of other private boats join in the flotilla as it makes it way into town.

References

* http://www.gasparillaextravaganza.com
* [http://sessums.net/gasparilla Jose Gasparilla Launch Countdown]