Gasparilla 2025: Pirates ‘warn’ of impending invasion after Tampa mayor refuses to hand over city keys

TAMPA, Fla. – Cold, rainy weather was no match for pirates with Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, who rolled into Tampa at noon Tuesday to warn of an invasion.

In a time-honored tradition, the pirates infiltrated Tampa and targeted Tampa Mayor Jane Castor.

Gasparilla

The backstory:

Gasparilla has been part of the Tampa community since 1904.

Before pirates take over the city, they meet with the mayor to “negotiate” a peaceful surrender of the city.

Ye Mystic Krewe stated that Captain Drew Pittman directed that Mayor Jane Castor meet with him at noon Tuesday in downtown Tampa.

READ: Gasparilla 2025: Here’s what you need to know about the annual pirate parade

In true Gasparilla fashion, the sound of cannons was heard in downtown Tampa before the pirates met with Mayor Castor to “discuss” the merits of her handing over the keys to the city.

They added that Mayor Castor had to surrender now or face the historic Gasparilla invasion.

Mayor Castor did not hand over the key to the city on Tuesday.

She said, “If Hurricanes Helene and Milton couldn’t knock Tampa over, new scaly waves can’t.”

Gasparilla pirates did not get the key to the city

What they say:

“But when you try to explain Gasparilla festivities to out-of-towners, they just tilt their heads to one side and look at you funny,” Castor said. “You just have to come and experience it.” ‘

Pirate Shamus Warren expected the mayor’s hard line on the key, but his smile remained.

“We’re paying her the courtesy of politely asking for the key,” Warren said. “Traditionally she refuses and we have to bring our friends back on Saturday and the result is a great parade and a great day.”

The backstory:

In FOX 13’s archives from 1974, we found the pirate attack on then-Tampa Mayor Dick Greco. On the roof of City Hall, he tried to offer Tampa Cigars to curry favor, but later in his office, he revealed the truth about who was going to run Tampa.

“You pirates would do a better job than us politicians,” Greco said at the time.

READ: Gasparilla security: Law enforcement prepares for pirate invasion after terror attack in New Orleans

What’s next:

When Castor did not hand over the keys, the pirates took the mayor and said they would respectfully deliver her to the designated meeting place, reported to be Lykes Gaslight Park on Franklin Street, between Kennedy and Madison.

The Jose Gasparilla ship is expected to dock outside the Tampa Convention Center at 1 p.m. After the mayor handed over the key to the city around 13.15, the pirates will take to the streets to celebrate.

The Pirates’ Gasparilla Parade begins at 2pm on Saturday 25th January at Bay to Bay and Bayshore.

STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA:

TampaGasparilla Pirate Invasion