Get ready for Gasparilla

TAMPA - The Gasparilla invasion takes over Tampa Bay Saturday.

Hundreds of thousands of people will be along Bayshore for Tampa's signature party.

At Tampa's Bead Barn, the colorful strands were flying off the shelves.

Saturday, they will fly through the air.

"We're probably looking around 20 million strands of beads that we went through already this year, not including what we had in storage unit," said J.B. Mason, the general manager.

All the hoopla gets underway at 11:30 a.m. Saturday with the infamous pirate invasion.

The parade follows at 2 p.m. Massive crowds will pack along the route -- somewhere between 300,000 and 500,000 people....they'll all be in party mode.

There will be a zero tolerance policy for open containers in the neighborhoods. Police will be handing out fines of $75, so keep the drinks along the parade route and designated areas only.

Here is more information:

SCHEDULE:

Invasion: The Jose Gasparilla will magically appear at the south end of Hillsborough Bay at 11:30 a.m., docking at the Tampa Convention Center at 1 p.m. At that point, Mayor Bob Buckhorn will surrender the key to the city of Tampa to Captain of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla.

Gasparilla Invasion Brunch: The Gasparilla Pirate Fest Invasion Brunch at the Tampa Convention Center is held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Gasparilla Parade of the Pirates: The parade begins at Bay to Bay Boulevard and Bayshore Boulevard. It then goes along Bayshore to Borein Street, turns east on Borein Street, then north on Ashley, ending at Cass and Ashley.

Pirate Fest: Enjoy live entertainment, food and the Gasparilla Midway at the Gasparilla Pirate Fest Festival along Ashley Drive from Kennedy to Cass. The celebration runs from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

TRANSPORTATION:

Downtown Tampa and Ybor City parking garages and lots will be available with a one-time special event parking rate paid upon entry.

Public transportation is an option as well. The TECO Line Streetcar is available.

For Ybor City parking information call (813) 242-5484. Call HARTline at (813) 254-4278 for fares and schedule information.

LINKS:

- The history of Jose Gaspar

- New guidelines for Gasparilla

- Gasparilla cookbook

- Gasparilla: Behind The Beads

- In Photos: The Gasparilla Kids' Parade