Gasparilla 2016 with Seminole Hard Rock Tampa

It's beginning to look a lot like Pirate season here in Tampa. For those who are not familiar with our fun town, we have a multi-month pirate festival. Think of it as our version of mardi-gras, except you will see Pirates walking down the street at any given time from January through March.

My friends at Seminole Hard Rock Tampa are the Title Sponsor of this years Gasparilla Day Parade. The Grand Marshall of the 2016 Gasparilla Day Parade will be Chief Warrant Officer Romulo “Romy” Camargo. Camargo was an Army Special Forces officer who was shot in the neck and paralyzed from the shoulders down during an ambush in Afghanistan in 2008. This past spring, after 20 years in the service, he retired.

There are so many fun things happening over the next few months but the two most important ones are the Council Oak Gasparilla Rum Dinner and the Gasparilla Day Parade:

January 28th, 2016
Council Oak Gasparilla Rum Dinner
Each guest will bring home a bottle of Mount Gay XO Extra Old
Ticket price: $185 6:30p
Click here for more information and to buy tickets

Hors d’ouvres
Sugar Cane Smoked Shrimp
Cinnamon-Molasses Glazed Pork Cheeks
Pistachio Crusted Scallop Lollipop
Fountain of Youth – Mount Gay Eclipse Silver

Seafood
Rum-Vanilla Poached Lobster
Spaghetti Squash, Cavatelli, Spinach, Salmon Caviar, Bacon Crumbs, Citrus-Tarragon Butter
Black Pearl – Mount Gay Black Barrel

Poultry
Roasted Squab
House Cured Bacon, Foie Gras, Heirloom Carrots, Peruvian Purple Potato, Cognac-Truffle Butter Sauce
Council Oaks XO Sidecar – Mount Gay XO

Main
Japanese Wagyu Filet
Yukon Gold Potato Pave, Caramelized Shallot, Rum Braised Fennel, Sweet Plantain Brule
Mount Gay 1703

Dessert
Caramelized Banana Rum Cheesecake
Citrus Crumble, Coconut Salted Caramel, Crystallized Macadamia Nuts, Brown Butter Gelato
Hot Buttered Rum – Mount Gay Eclipse Gold
January 30th, 2016 

photo from gasparillapiratefest.com

Gasparilla Invasion and Parade Schedule of events:
10:00am-1:00pm Gasparilla Brunch
1:00pm-Jose Gasparilla docks at Tampa Convention Center
2:00pm-5:30pm Parade of the Pirates

photo from gasparillapiratefest.com

One of the most famous parts of Gasparilla is the Invasion and Day Parade. This will be taking place on January 30th, where thousands of boats come into Tampa to invade Tampa Bay. Following the invasion, there will be a day parade full of floats carrying pirates, athletes and the Hard Rock Girls. Seminole Hard Rock Tampa is the title sponsor of the Day Parade and I am super honored to be attending their hospitality tent to have an up close view of the fun.