Pirates To Create Some Noise In Advance Of Request For Mayor To Surrender The City

Tampa, FL (January 25, 2010) - The Captain of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, accompanied by a group of Tampa’s infamous pirates, are planning to visit downtown Tampa on Tuesday, January 26th, arriving at approximately 11:30 a.m. accompanied by the customary theatrical noise props (cannons) to “discuss” the advantages of surrendering the City of Tampa in advance of Saturday’s Gasparilla Invasion. The actual negotiation is rumored to begin around noon, with the Mayor respectfully escorted to meet up with the Captain on Franklin Street, between Kennedy and Madison.

The 2010 Seminole Hard Rock Gasparilla Pirate Fest will be held on Saturday, January 30th in downtown Tampa. The Gasparilla Invasion is scheduled for 11 a.m. and the Gasparilla Parade of the Pirates begins at 2 p.m. at Bay to Bay and Bayshore. Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla has presented Tampa’s historic Gasparilla Invasion and Parade of the Pirates since 1904.

2010 GASPARILLA RAIDING PARTY

• Tuesday, January 26, 2010

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

• 11:30 a.m. Pirates arrive (noisily) in downtown Tampa via float, on west side (Tampa Street) of Lykes Gaslight Park ***
• NOON Pirates meet with Mayor to discuss city’s surrender***
           (*** indicates theatrical noise props may be used)

Media: Media parking will be available on the north curb of Kennedy, between Franklin and Florida.  For more details, media should contact Ashley L. Derrick, Event Coordinator with Event Fest by calling (813) 251-3378 or via email at Ashley@EventFest. 
 
The Tampa Downtown Partnership is a private, not-for-profit 501(c)6 organization.  It is a membership organization comprised of companies, organizations and individuals with a common goal of advancing downtown Tampa.  Through an annual contract with the City of Tampa, the Tampa Downtown Partnership administers the Special Services District.  In addition to Tampa's Downtown Guides and Clean Team, the Tampa Downtown Partnership works to promote downtown through a multitude of initiatives including marketing, business development, transportation, planning and beautification. For more information about the Tampa Downtown Partnership, telephone (813) 221-3686 or visit the Partnership’s web site at www.tampasdowntown.com.

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