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Gasparilla season: Pirates took over downtown Tampa Saturday

Other than just the Children's Gasparilla Parade, the day was jam-packed full of different celebrations and events.

TAMPA, Fla. — Ahoy, Matey! Pirates made their way through downtown Tampa this Saturday for the 2022 Children's Gasparilla Parade.

Other than just the parade, the day was jam-packed full of different celebrations and events guests were able to enjoy.

Take a look at the photos from Saturday's festivities and a breakdown of all of the events that took place.

Bicycle & Pedestrian Safety Rodeo

Anyone interested in learning how to bicycle safely with traffic was invited to this free event.

Volunteers fit children with a new, free bicycle helmet that they were able to keep.

But, what exactly were the helmets for? Kids could use them to ride through a fun course that taught them bicycle riding skills.

Helmets were given away on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Time: 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Location: Bayshore Boulevard and S Rome Avenue

Gasparilla Air Invasion & Day Jump

Event-goers can look forward to a show featuring civilian aerobatic teams and stunt planes, vintage military aircraft, precision parachute jumpers and a twilight jump over the Bay.

Time: Noon until 3:15 p.m.

Location: Bayshore Boulevard and S DeSoto Avenue

Gasparilla Preschooler's Stroll

The Tampa Bay area's youngest pirates were given the time to show off their pirate garb and strut their stuff along Bayshore Boulevard.

The event began at Howard Avenue and ended at Rome Avenue.

Children 5 years old and younger also traveled down the roadway in decked-out wagons, bicycles and strollers. 

Participants were asked to pre-register on the event's website.

Time: 1 p.m. until 2 p.m.

Location: Bayshore Boulevard and S Howard Avenue

Children's Gasparilla Parade

Parade floats, krewes, marching bands, dance units, school organizations, community groups and neighborhood associations filled the street of Bayshore Boulevard for the main event of the day.

The alcohol-free event has been a tradition in Tampa since 1947.

Time: 3:30 p.m. until 6 p.m.

Location: 1.5-mile route launching from Bayshore Boulevard and W Bay to Bay Boulevard.

Gasparilla Air Invasion & Night Jump

The evening skies were lit up once again for aerobatic skywriters, formation flights and a precision parachute jump performed by The Chuters.

Time: 6:15 p.m. until 6:30 p.m.

Location: Bayshore Boulevard and S Howard Avenue

Children's Gasparilla "Piratechnic" Finale

Immediately after the parade ends, the finale began.

The Jose Gasparilla pirate ship arrived with canons and lights along with stunt planes that performed a fireworks flight.

Guests were also able to see the Captain of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla order a sequence of firework shells.

Time: 6 p.m. until 7 p.m.

Location: Bayshore Boulevard and S. Howard Avenue

The Tampa Police Department also launched a "Kids Safety Card" ahead of the Children's Gasparilla Parade to help reunite kids who become lost with their parents.

On the inside of the card is a line for parents to write their name and phone number.

Parents were also encouraged to take a picture of their child on the day of the children's parade to have an up-to-date photo to provide to the police if they get lost.

In addition, authorities recommend having a meeting location if separated, texting your parking location to your phone, taking a picture of the nearest cross street to your car. 

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