Gasparilla Piratefest with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays

YO HO YO HO.. A pirate’s life for me.

Minus the drink up me ‘earties yo ho part anyway. Instead of partaking in the alcohol induced madness, this cowgirl decided to forgo the traditional party scene in downtown Tampa (and along the Bayshore) and see it all from a perspective reminiscent of her high school marching band days… be in the festivities!! But why walk six miles when you can … ride it???..

This year I hitched a ride on the Devil Rays float and even traded in my boots and cowboy hat for some sportier digs. In full out rays gear, my girlfriends Brittany and Ashley helped me toss out beads along the parade route and show the rest of Tampa a great time at one of cities oldest traditions. We stopped along the way and took pictures with the Plant High School football team, who just capped off a great season last year, winning the State Championship, not to mention dozens of athletes, firefighters, police officers, and pirates.

So we weren’t exactly singing "Danke Schoen" or “Twist and Shout”… but a little “Maneater” with some beads and foam baseballs seemed to still do the trick… And our outfits certainly gave Ferris a run for his money.

The parade route was a lot shorter than I remember it being, but then again this time I wasn’t doing it in front of a marching band of 150, or in knee high cowboy boots. Overall, the parade was a great success and fun was had by all, even Raymond.

So, its been a long weekend of bead throwing, singing.. and all kinds of shenanigans.. and this girl needs her rest. Until next year Tampa…

Oh yeah.. and Go Rays!