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

Pirates invading Tampa ... ship called the Jose Gasparilla (which is actually a barge dressed up as an 18th century pirate ship that is pulled by tug boats). It will turn into Hillsborough Bay ...

The Gasparilla Pirate Festival ... in downtown Tampa. Attendees can witness the annual "pirate invasion" as the Jose Gasparilla ship sets sail at the south end of Hillsborough Bay at 11:30 ...

The Gasparilla Pirate Festival is a large annual parade, with a variety of related pirate-themed community events, held in Tampa every January. The festival is named after a legendary Florida ...