TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn refused to give the key to the city to a group of noisy and foul-mouthed pirates on Tuesday morning.MORE: Gasparilla coverage
The pirates arrived on a float, cannons blaring, and parked it near Tampa City Hall.
They then disembarked and swaggered through Lykes Gaslight Park and into City Hall in search of Mayor Bob Buckhorn.
“We can smell you,” they scowled as they entered the mayor’s office and brought the mayor outside to the park where a crowd was waiting.
“50 guys against one Irish guy, that’s a fair fight,” said Mayor Buckhorn.
The pirates demanded the mayor give them the key.
“Hell no,” he replied.
After the ordeal was over, Mayor Buckhorn posted about the pirates on Facebook.
The pirates will be back again on Saturday when they invade the city during the 2018 Gasparilla Pirate Fest. Tampa’s historic Community event begins on Saturday with the Gasparilla Invasion.
- Schedule of Events: 2018 Gasparilla Invasion and Parade of Pirates
- Street Closures: 2018 Gasparilla Parade of Pirates
- PHOTOS: 2018 Gasparilla Children’s Parade and Extravaganza
Get the schedule here.