Hundreds of thousands of people turn out for Gasparilla 2012

TAMPA - As the pirate invasion took over Bayshore Boulevard the crowd of hundreds of thousands of people grew by the minute.

"The coolest thing is just going to see the pirates come onto shore and take over," said John Smith. The pirates did exactly that. They took over Tampa.

"Argh matey welcome to Gasparilla 2012," said one of the hundreds of pirates in the city.

For first timers it was a treat. Especially for one little boy celebrating his birthday. "We're going to Gasparilla on my birthday to get beads," he said. For others who've never missed a parade it is a life long tradition. "I love pirates it is in my blood," said Tampa native, Christina.

Even with the pirates and beads many agree that the tradition draws them back. "We are here from Tampa and this is apart of being from Tampa," said Kathy Moore. Moore is from Riverview and brought her cousin from Ocala to the parade. She said nothing can top the experience. "There is nothing better than a day at Gasparilla," said Moore.