Hundreds of thousands flooded Tampa streets as Gasparilla made its 2022 comeback
Feb. 4, 2022 | Photos by Anderson Bobo | Introduction by Hope Dean
Tampa isn’t Tampa when Gasparilla swings around.
The city’s skyscrapers remain the same, but people flock from streets over to states over — all to dress up in swashbuckling outfits, complete with three-cornered hats and beers in hand.
Tampa transforms into a parade of pirates each year in late January or early February for a tradition that’s lasted more than 100 years.
Except, in 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic prevented the event. The hiatus made the festival’s 2022 return all the more anticipated. More than 300,000 celebrants flooded Bayshore Blvd. on Jan. 29. Even Batman showed up.
Shot on 35mm film, this photo story takes you along Tampa’s streets during one of its zaniest times of year.
Pirates flood the streets as early as 9 a.m.. Tampa has a law against carrying open containers, but today the rules of the sea take precedent.
