TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Pirates are ready to invade Tampa for the annual Gasparilla festivities.
On Tuesday, members of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla went to the Tampa Convention Center to hand deliver a letter to Mayor Jane Castor, asking her to “negotiate a peaceful surrender of the city or face a long and costly battle.”
“Should the Mayor choose not to voluntarily meet the Captain at the appointed date and time, Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla’s advance team will likely take the Mayor by force,” Captain, Peter Lackman wrote.
Mayor Castor agreed to meet with the pirates on Tuesday, but refused to surrender.
“They think they’re going to get this,” the mayor said, holding up a key to the city. “Not going to happen.”
Thousands are expected to descend on downtown Tampa Saturday for the annual pirate invasion, a long-standing Tampa tradition. The invasion will be followed by a 4.5-mile parade featuring more than 50 Krewes and 100 floats.
WFLA Now will have live coverage of the pirate invasion and parade starting at 11 a.m. Saturday.