Backstage Country

LISTEN LIVE

Roads That Will Be Closed For Gasparilla

There will be roads that will be closed for Gasparilla this Saturday. The City of Tampa has maps on their website of the road closures for Gasparilla that start on…

Roads Closed Gasparilla

Roads Closed Gasparilla

Geno

There will be roads that will be closed for Gasparilla this Saturday. The City of Tampa has maps on their website of the road closures for Gasparilla that start on Friday night.

January 27, 10:00 pm to January 28, Midnight
Bayshore Boulevard between W Gandy Boulevard and W Platt Street

W Bay to Bay between Bayshore Boulevard and S Ysabella Avenue

Davis Islands Bridge off-ramp onto Bayshore Boulevard

January 28, 3:00 am to Midnight
Bayshore Boulevard between W Brorein Street and W Platt Street

W Platt Street/Channelside Drive from S Plant Avenue to S Franklin Street

January 28, 5:30 am to Midnight
Crosstown- EB S Willow Avenue Exit Ramp (Exit 4)

S Willow Avenue (Southbound Closure Only) between W Platt Street and W Swann Avenue

January 28, 7:00 am to Midnight
S Ashley Drive between Jackson Street and Brorein Street

Brorein Street from S Jefferson Avenue to S Parker Street

S Franklin Street between Channelside Drive and Harbour Island Bridge

Water Street between S Franklin Street and S Florida Avenue

E Washington Street between S Ashley Drive and S Tampa Street

E Whiting Street between S Ashley Drive and S Tampa Street

January 28, 9:00 am to Midnight
E Kennedy Boulevard between N Florida Ave and S Plant Ave

N Ashley Drive between E Cass Street and E Jackson Street

E Jackson Street from N Ashley Drive to N Tampa Street

E Madison Street between N Ashley Drive and N Florida Avenue

E Twiggs Street between N Ashley Drive and N Florida Avenue

E Zack Street between N Ashley Drive and N Florida Avenue

E Polk Street between N Ashley Drive and N Florida Avenue

E Whiting Street (Westbound Closure Only) between Florida Avenue and Franklin Street

January 28, 11:00 am to Midnight
W Cass Street between N Willow Avenue and W Tyler Street

W North A Street from N Willow Ave to N Newport Avenue

W North B Street from N Willow Ave to N Newport Avenue

W Fig Street between N Willow Avenue and N Gilchrist Avenue

W Carmen Street between N Willow Avenue and N Delaware Avenue

N Newport Avenue between W Cass Street and W North A Street

N Gilchrist Avenue between W Cass Street and W Fig Street

N Boulevard between W Cass Street and W Main Street

January 28, 1:30 pm to Midnight
Cass Street between W Tyler Street and N Tampa Street

W Tyler Street between N Tampa Street and W Cass Street

January 28, 3:00 pm to Midnight
W Bay to Bay Boulevard (Eastbound Closure Only) between S MacDill Avenue and S Ysabella Avenue

S Swann Avenue (Eastbound Closure Only) between S MacDill Avenue and S Armenia Ave

W Platt Street at S Howard Avenue

W Platt Street at S Willow Ave

W Platt St at S South Boulevard

S Willow Avenue between W Kennedy Boulevard and W Platt Street

S Boulevard between W Kennedy Boulevard and W Platt Street

E Whiting Street between Tampa Street and Franklin Street

January 28, 4:30 pm to Midnight
W Kennedy Boulevard (Eastbound Closure Only) at S Himes Avenue

W Kennedy Boulevard (Eastbound Closure Only) at S MacDill Avenue

W Kennedy Boulevard (Eastbound Closure Only) at S Howard Avenue

W Kennedy Boulevard (Eastbound Closure Only) at S Boulevar
d

Roads Closed GasparillaCity Of Tampa

Map Courtesy of the City of Tampa

Tampa Stores Where You Can Find The Perfect Pirate Costume For Gasparilla

Arrgghhh matey's! Gasparilla is right around the corner and before you know it, you'll be scrambling to make the perfect pirate costume. We're here to make your search easy by listing the best 10 stores in Tampa where you can find the perfect Gasparilla gear! The invasion of pirates will take place on January 25. Here's more info on this year's parade.

Whether you're looking for some authentic pirate costumes or just need some accessories, head to these stores for all your Gaspy needs! 10 Tampa Bay (WTSP) made a great list with some good starter places. But if you don't want to rely on Amazon or Etsy to get your stuff on time, there are plenty of local places to try! It's still too early to tell what the weather will be like on the day of the Children's and adult parades. It's normally around the mid-60s to high 70s, so you may need to dress warm!

History of the Gasparilla Parade

Tampa has been celebrating Gasparilla since 1904. Each year, a merry band of pirates invades the city, with a parade down Tampa's famous Bayshore Blvd. What originally started as a spring festival for the "May Day" celebration. Tampa Tribune Society Editor Mary Louise Dodge was helping plan the multiple-day event when George Hardee suggested including the legend of Gasparilla. Then the Tampa Tribune began publishing letters from the Ye Mystic Krewe, detailing the invasion. Read more of the history here.

The legend of Gasparilla

Gasparilla is inspired by true events. Jose Gaspar, or Jose Gasparilla was a famous Spanish pirate who earned a fortune by capturing ships and treasure. In 1821 the US Navy launched a disguised attack on Jose's ship. Admitting defeat, he tied himself to an anchor and jumped into the ocean, never seen again.

Here's our list of 10 stores in Tampa where you can find the perfect pirate costume:

Hazel + Dot

Located at 3714 Henderson Blvd, Tampa. This store has the cutest graphic tees and accessories for a chill pirate costume. They also do live sales every Wednesday on Instagram.

South Tampa Trading Co.

Located at 1916 S Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa. This store has been a staple for Gaspy costumes for a few years. They even have the cutest costume for kids!

Art Pool

If you want to really go all out, check out Art Pool for vintage and unique items! You could find a really awesome corset or accessories here. You can find them in St. Pete at 2030 Central Ave, St. Petersburg.

Don Me Now

Located at 1211 E Kennedy Blvd, Tampa. They have the cutest Gaspy collection that you can even shop online! Check them out here.

La France

This vintage store is located at 1612 E 7th Ave, Tampa. You'll find some amazing authentic pirate costumes here for those who like to go all out!

Pirate Fashions

This hidden gem is located at 4006 W Cayuga St, Tampa. This is another great store if you want a hardcore pirate costume.

Valhalla

This resale store is great for any last minute accessories! Located at 6112 N Central Ave, Tampa.

AHaley Boutique

This boutique is great for cute and subtle pirate outfits. You can even claim your favorite stuff on Instagram or call the store to hold! They're located at 128 S West Shore Blvd, Tampa.

The Todd Couples Store

Okay hear me out... You can find anything from fishnets, corsets, pirate hats, to skull and cross bone pasties, The Todd has everything you need to get you Gasparilla ready! Just don't bring the kids shopping. 

Pirate costume

Getty Royalty Free

Honorary Mention: Lace And Bones

This online Etsy shop is based in Tampa and focuses on pirate garb! Everything is handmade so remember that when shopping! You can check out the store here.

Kevin is a member of Tampa Bay‘s Hometown Morning Krewe on 995 QYK. He has been with the station for 25 years, is a Tampa native, and went to Jesuit High School and USF. Go Bulls!. He is passionate about all things Tampa Bay. Kevin writes articles on the ongoing road projects around the Tampa Bay area, awards that Tampa Bay cities and businesses have won and country music happenings around the Bay area. He is always doing many things with his wife and kids. He loves to read books and play video games in his spare time.