Ye Krewe,
Ahoy! The Gasparilla Day Parade is coming up Saturday, January 26. So bring some friends, and forward this message to anyone I've missed whom you'd like to join us. As usual, our viewing stand will be on the BAY side of Bayshore Boulevard , somewhere north of the on-ramp to the Davis Islands Bridge , but south of the first overpass. Look for a sign identifying our party as: "YE Krewe of Bayshore Marauders."
It’s BYOB, though there’s always plenty to share if you run low. We'll also have munchies, sodas, water, cups, plates and utensils. Feel free to bring any food you'd like to for yourself and to share, but no raw meats: as grills are verboten. The Gasparilla Parade Organizers say we can bring one reasonable-sized cooler per-person, 1 blanket/tarp per-person, and have one chair per-person. We'll bring most of these items for you, though a rolling cooler, extra chair or wagon would come in handy.
The officials don't allow us to fence off our area, so the only way to stake out our territory is to hold it by force of numbers. Therefore, we will arrive early, strategically arrange our coolers, chairs and tarps then stay at the site non-stop from early morning.
Come as early as you want, but many of you may want to make it at the viewing stand before 11:00. That way you'll still find nearby parking, have the option of walking over for the Invasion Flotilla about 11:30, and be back in time for the Parade. One WARNING though: be sure to cross Bayshore Blvd. over to the BAY side before 1:00 at the very latest. This early crossing is essential because the police block access across to the BAY side along the entire parade at 1:00 sharp - a full hour before the parade starts at Bay to Bay Blvd.
Matt, Carlton and I will again arrive early and secure the plot on Saturday morning from about 7:00 - on.
We'll have our cell phones with us if you get lost:
Tom Danahy - (813)416-0134
Matt Hovey - (727)686-3344
Carlton Bryant - (813)477-6549
For a preview of the festivities visit http://www.gasparillapiratefest.com/
See you then mates, Arrrrrrrggggggg!
Tom danahyt@yahoo.net
