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

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

Up and down Tampa Bay’s shore on Saturday, people donned fake tattoos, paraded with stuffed parrots, put on quirky pirate costumes and, yes, drank a lot of alcohol.