Gasparilla became a time-honored tradition in 1904 after local planners decided to make the legend of Gasparilla into the theme for that year's May Day celebration, said Gasparill

Tampa’s signature pirate event got off to a chilly start, but things warmed up as the day and parties progressed.

While the legends of José Gaspar are full of alleged adventure and swashbuckling, history tells a different story.