Pirates are temporarily taking over downtown Tampa to celebrate Gasparilla, an annual pirate-themed festival. Known as the city's "signature event," Gasparilla was named after famed Florida pirate José Gaspar from the 18th century, who went by Gasparilla.

Every year, an estimated 300,000 participants come to Tampa for Gasparilla Pirate Festival, a mock attack by a band of pirates called Ye Mystic Krewe. The pirates’ plot is simple: storm the shores, take the key to the city and parade down Bayshore Boulevard.

Gasparilla Parade, also known as the Gasparilla Pirate Festival, is a Tampa-based yearly event with more than a century-long history.