Although Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio will be handing the keys to the city over to Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, city officials are keeping security tight and sticking to a zero-tolerance policy for underage drinking. This change and many others have come to this year’s 106th Annual Gasparilla Pirate Fest.
The changes come after last year’s festivities when a group of residents from the Bayshore and Hyde Park neighborhoods complained about the drunk party goers who passed out on their lawns and were caught publicly urinating.
This year, no underage alcohol consumption will be tolerated.
Those choosing to consume alcohol can only do so in designated wet zones along the extended parade route and no open containers outside of the wet zones. Personal kegs, coolers, glass containers and other mass consumption vessels will be prohibited according to state and city ordinances.An early attempt was made to move the parade route in March 2009. Instead, festival organizers and city officials are increasing the number of Tampa Police officers to 275, an additional 50 officers from last year.
The extended parade route will end at Curtis Hixon Park across the river from UT where there will be plenty of space for spectators to drink alcohol but still has to be bought there and not brought in from anywhere else.
This year, there will also be 1,600 portable toilets. This number is nearly double that of last year’s. Officials are hoping to curb the amount of public urination and other unlawful behavior at this year’s festivities.
“Gasparilla is a community tradition that our membership has hosted proudly for generations here in Tampa,” said Jim Robbins, Captain of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla in a press release. “We want everyone to enjoy Gasparilla each year, whether they attend the event or simply live nearby,” said Robbins.
Pepin Distributing, a parade sponsor has linked up with several other sponsors and Tampa city officials to create a campaign called “Respect is the Key” to communicate the idea that they want people to act more responsible for the event.
“The objective of the Respect is the Key program is to communicate to our community in a positive manner and at the point of purchase that this year, disruptive behavior and violations of city ordinances will not be tolerated by law enforcement,” said Bill Gieseking, director of Marketing for Pepin Distributing Company, Tampa’s Anheuser Busch distributor. “We care about our community and feel that Gasparilla is a very important event for our community,” said Gieseking.
Gina Firth, associate Dean of Students says that times are changing and if students do not adhere to the changes the future of the event is in jeopardy.
“If behavior shifts are not made, Gasparilla will not be able to continue [like it has in years past],” Firth said.
Firth understands that students can have fun during this historical event but they need to know that what they were able to get away with last year will not be tolerated this year.
“Just be smart,” she said.
Firth mentioned that Tampa Police and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office will be in communication with UT to inform them of students that are arrested. Those arrested will not only face the consequences of their arresting authority but also Student Conduct on campus.
“They are putting the event as well as themselves and the future in jeopardy,” Firth said about students that would pay no attention to the new rules put in place this year.
Eric Cardenas, director of Public Information said that UT Campus Safety and Security will help close down campus entrances only allowing UT students with an Spartan ID to enter.
Cardenas said that many other organizations on campus including Team Chaos and Residence Life are helping to create a safe environment for students.
“We are trying to educate students on how they can protect themselves and doing what we can to help minimize problems,” Cardenas said.
Other sponsors of the campaign include MacDill Airforce Base, Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla and the Tampa Alcohol Coalition.
Event attendees 21 and older can text “pirate” to 333222 to receive messages about the changes to this year’s Gasparilla. For those under 21, they can text “change” to 333222. Go to emtheminaretonline.com/em for updates.
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