Gasparilla took place this past weekend in my hometown of Tampa. The weekend festival celebrates the buccaneer history of Tampa Bay with a Mardi Gras style parade and a city-wide pirate invasion. Although I wasn’t able to be there in person this year, I was able to browse some pictures on Instagram which was just as good.

The objective is to asphyxiate yourself with plastic beads.

Surprise! Those are actually butt beads.

This man’s beads should be taken from him.

Bead swag isn’t just for adults.

Not sure if dubstep concert or Gasparilla.

Obligatory captain chug.

Tiny pirate.

Cool pirate costume.

Better pirate costume.

Not sure what this is.

The parade takes place on land…

An on sea.

You can conquer Gasparilla…

Or Gasparilla can conquer you.

Either way I’m definitely not missing next year!

by @JoeyMorris