Swap Your Gasparilla Beads For Discounted Tickets To The Florida Aquarium
It’s a win-win, right? You help keep plastic out of our bay AND get some discounted tickets to the Florida Aquarium. After the Children’s Gasparilla Parade, Tampa’s cleanup teams are working to keep beads out of local waters. At the MacDonald Training Center, staff members sort through mountains of plastic beads. Working alongside community volunteers, they’ve handled over 20,750 pounds since 2018. You’ll spot bead collection bins along the route. Teams clean and sort them for future use. This clever approach provides jobs for disabled workers while reducing trash.
Tossing beads into Tampa Bay violates both state and federal laws. Local organizations, including the aquarium and water taxi service, support efforts to shield waters from small plastic pieces that damage marine life.
“Pirates have been incredibly generous in recent years, and we hope to break a record this year,” said Mayor Jane Castor to That’s So Tampa.
Plan on going to the adult parade on January 25th? You’ll have a few options for what to do with your beads after the big party. From January 27 through May 2025, beads can be dropped off at four local centers during their regular operating hours:
- Kate Jackson Community Center – 821 S Rome Ave.
- Loretta Ingraham Recreation Complex – 1611 N Hubert Ave.
- Copeland Park Center – 11001 N 15th St.
- MacDonald Training Center – 5420 W Cypress St.
If you want to swap your beads for something in return, head to The Florida Aquarium from January 18 through February 16, 2025 to turn your beads into discounted tickets to the aquarium! You can receive 4 tickets for 50% off when you make your donation. All beads collected will be donated to the MacDonald Training Center, who will clean and repackage for resale for future use.