Should Tampa Kids Enjoy Gasparilla?

Should Tampa kids enjoy Gasparilla?  With the drinking, the partying, and party tradition, is it right?  This question was super popular with people who have moved to the city.  First-timers are asking if it's appropriate for kids to be that close to the debauchery.  We received texts on both sides of the fence.

There is a kid's parade, which assures all kid-centric interactions.  Some think that means no way kids should be involved.  Others point to the family tradition of it all?  Would Jose Gaspar bring his children to pillage and invade Tampa Bay? Remember when people used to flash their boobies for beads?  Yeah, me either (awkward).  Luckily those days are long gone (sigh).  However the drinking, loud characters, and massive crowds remain and this weekend is party time for more than 300,000!  So what's your answer?  Should Tampa kids enjoy Gasparilla?

We asked our listeners and a lot of people seemed to agree that it is okay to bring your kids to the adult parade. But there should be a cut-off point. Let's say you wouldn't bring your 3-year-old to the adult parade, but your 13-year-old would probably get a kick out of seeing mom and dad let loose a little bit. It was a hot discussion on the show last year...

Every year in Tampa on the last Saturday of January we celebrate pirate style. With festivities kicking off at 9am and lasting all day long. The children's parade will take place the weekend before the adult parade. The invasion is where the pirate ship Jose Gasparilla, emerges at the south end of Hillsborough Bay followed by hundreds of boats and demands the key to the city. With the key in the hand of the pirates, the party is then moved to beautiful Bayshore Blvd for one of the biggest parades in the country.

Heading to Tampa for the Gasparilla festivities? The weather should cooperate. Temps will be in the 70s and there's only a little chance of any rain. The invasion begins at 11:30am. The Parade of the Pirates goes from 2pm to 5pm.

Bring your patience. It does get crowded, people get rowdy and parking isn't easy. Gasparilla reps suggest using rideshare apps like Uber or Lyft instead. Also the streetcars will be running to and from Ybor.

Know before you go what can and can't be brought to the parade. You definitely don't want to have to do that long walk back to the car to drop things off. Organizers say you should leave these 5 things behind.

No marking your spot. They want to make sure everyone can see. "Tents of any sort" are prohibited according to GasparillaPirateFest.com. That also means no stakes, rope or fencing too. And you'll also need to leave the grill at home.

It's a long day at Gasparilla and you're going to get hungry. But don't bring your lunch to Gasparilla. They have vendors all over Tampa who will have everything you can imagine to eat.

Bicycles won't be allowed on Bayshore on either the land or water side. They say if you plan to ride your bike, plan an alternate route around Bayshore.

They probably wouldn't have enough staff to inspect them for buried treasures so they're forbidden. However, small soft-sided coolers and lunch bags are OK for childcare or medical needs.

Outside beverages will need to be left behind. Vendors will be selling them for charity though. One thing you don't have to worry about is Gasparilla is finding an adult beverage.