Here's everything you need to know about Gasparilla Pirate Fest 2016
TRAFFIC
The pirates arrive by sea as the fully rigged Jose Gasparilla sails into Seddon Channel and docks at the Tampa Convention Center at 1 p.m. Then, the marauding buccaneers gather at the intersection of Bay to Bay Blvd. and Bayshore Blvd. for the Gasparilla Parade of Pirates, which steps off at 2 p.m. The parade continues along Bayshore Blvd. to Brorein Street, turns east on Brorein Street, then north on Ashley Drive. The parade ends in downtown Tampa at Cass Street and Ashley Drive.
Many of the streets will remain closed throughout the evening. Here is how to get to the Straz Center if you are attending the 8 p.m. show of The Lion King.
PARKING
Most of the lots Downtown and in Ybor City will have a flat rate of $10. To get around to these areas HART will be offering extra streetcar, bus, and trolley services. Click here for the list of parking lots you can use.
CELL PHONES
Here's the thing -- once you get to the parade, stick with your crew. Gasparilla is notorious for NO cell phone reception. As more than 200,000 people pack into a 5 mile area, all those phones will be trying to connect to apps all at the same time. Cell phone towers get overloaded with the high digital demand. Read more at the Tampa Bay Times.
UBER
If you get to Gasparilla and decide that you've had too much fun, you may need a ride home. Uber has anticipated this need and is offering $20 ride vouchers for Gasparilla attendees 21 and over. Starting on Thursday, interested consumers can enter promo code ‘PIRATERESPONSIBLY' in the Uber app by Saturday, Jan. 30th at 2 p.m. EST. Up to 1,000 winners will receive email or mobile message containing a $20 free promo code. The discount is redeemable for rides taken before Feb. 1st
BEADS
Everyone wants them -- yet many end up polluting the Bay. The beads could injure or kill the marine life at a time when the Bay is making a big comeback. Beads look great, but not when they are wrapped around local wildlife. Read more here.
WEATHER
Good news! After days of dreary rain, the sun makes a return this weekend. Prepare for plenty of sunshine and temperatures in the upper 60's. Get your detailed forecast here.
Gasparilla 2015
