You’ve got a boat, now what? Sure, there’s fishing, sandbars, overnight trips, picnics and water toys—but what about using your boat to enjoy events? Tampa Bay has a wealth of fun water-based happenings that encourage spectators by boat.
Gasparilla Pirate Festival
Here’s your chance to say “Arrgghh” and dress up like a pirate on January 25. Named for Jose Gaspar, who preyed on Tampa waters in the 18th century, the Gasparilla Invasion brings the pirate himself aboard a majestic square-rigged pirate ship, led into Tampa Bay by a water-spouting fireboat. The ship docks at the Tampa Convention Center, where the notorious pirates demand the key to the city from the Mayor of Tampa. The U.S. Coast Guard maintains a safety zone around the flag-bedecked ship, but you can get close enough to wave your hook and tip your three-cornered hat.
Holiday Lighted Boat Parade
Nothing is going to put you in the holiday spirit like decorating your boat and entering the annual Lighted Boat Parade on December 21. And don’t think you can get away with one strand of lights. Entrants encase their boats in bright lights, don holiday costumes, and yell “Ho, ho, ho” at the drop of eggnog. The parade runs from the lighthouse at the tip of Harbour Island to Water Works Park (for boats that can fit under the bridges), while larger boats turn at the Convention Center, ending at Sparkman Wharf. Join the fun and decorate, because entrants receive swag bags, admission to the Captain’s Party and trophies for best-decorated vessel.
July 4th Boat Parade
Want to see a sea of boats in patriotic colors of red, white and blue? This parade follows the same course as the Holiday parade but takes place during the day. You’ll need to register, but participants can partake in the Blessing of the Fleet, an ancient Mediterranean tradition that will protect boat and crew for the year—guaranteed! There’s also a water ski show and every entrant gets a prize bag and entry to the Captain’s Party. The whole affair is capped by a fabulous fireworks show easily visible by boat.
Other fun events include the Tampa Bay AirFest (March), where you can anchor off MacDill Air Force Base to watch the Blue Angels and aircraft flybys—don’t forget your binoculars! The Tampa Bay Poker Run, sponsored by the Florida Powerboat Club, is a three-day celebration of speed on the water, featuring fun runs and the highlight poker run, where boats race between stops to collect cards. During February’s Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, dock at the Grand Prix Yacht Club for access to VIP areas. And don’t miss the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Boating Flea Market (November 16), where you can pick up all the boating gear you never knew you always wanted.
And that’s just the tip of the boating fun on Tampa Bay!
Chris Caswell is an award-winning writer and the former editor of several yachting magazines. He has appeared on Oprah as a boating lifestyle expert and hosted the Marine Voyager series on the Speed Channel.
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