The annual Gasparilla celebration is held every year in Tampa Bay. The event, which has been held for nearly 100 years, is one of the largest pirate parades in the world.  The parade is named after a mythical pirate named Jose Gaspa, who was thought to have operated in southwest Florida. Jose Gasparilla’s traditional invasion of the city is culminated around the end of January or beginning of February, as the Jose Gasparilla pirate ship invades Tampa, confronting the mayor of the city.  For the pirate invasion portion of the parade, hundreds of boats follow the Jose Gasparilla pirate ship into the city.  Upon arrival in downtown Tampa, the pirates aboard the ship land and demand the key to the city.  After the playful ceremony the pirates continue their conquests through the streets of Tampa, only to return to their ship and venture back across Tampa bay.