Parties, Pirates, and Parades – Children’s Gasparilla and the Florida State Fair

If you’re familiar with Tampa Bay and the surrounding areas, then you probably already know we’re all about parties, pirates and parades. When speaking of excitement and Tampa Bay, we immediately think of the Florida State Fair and Children’s Gasparilla – and today, we’re going to tell you all about them.

Children’s Gasparilla Parade in Tampa Bay

We would like to start out by telling you about the Children’s Gasparilla Parade. If you love pirates, then you’re going to love this parade. Here, matey’s from all age groups collect beads as well over 100 parade floats go down Tampa Bay’s Bayshore Boulevard. This is a parade that has been going on since 1947. This parade is all about impeccably dressed krewed, elaborate floats, whirling dancers, marching bands, and the familiar faces of community organizations and schools.

Florida State Fair

The annual state fair is always in February, and always in Tampa. At the fair, you will get to enjoy amazing agriculture, free entertainment, historical village, competitive exhibits, food, and of course crafts. Not to mention it also has one of the biggest midways in America. The fairgrounds in Tampa were established back in 1904, but it wasn’t until 1975 that the event was designated as being the state’s “official” fair. The fairgrounds can be found sitting at the intersection of Interstate 4 and U.S. 301 – it is a 355-acre site. Many look at the carnival rides and the corndog concession stands at the fair as the main highlights, but the best in the state of Florida are being showcased in the pavilions, so you should definitely take a look in there.

Cracker Country Farm at the State Fair

For all of you history fanatics out there, you’ll enjoy this living history museum. By visiting the museum, you’ll get to learn the story of the settlement of Florida that took place during the 1800s by cattle ranchers – those cattle ranchers received the name “crackers,” based on the sound of the whips that they used to drive the cattle from the Carolinas and Georgia to Florida.

There is so much to the Tampa area. Whatever your likes may be, surely you can find something you enjoy! Tampa is all about pirates, parades and parties – who doesn’t love a good parade, or party with pirates?

Thank you for your attention!