Pirates are temporarily taking over downtown Tampa to celebrate Gasparilla, an annual pirate-themed festival. Known as the city's "signature event," Gasparilla was named after famed Florida pirate José Gaspar from the 18th century, who went by Gasparilla.

Those pesky pirates are invading Tampa again. For more than 100 years, Tampa city leaders have held the signature Gasparilla event to draw visitors with a day of pirates and a parade of buccaneers. It borrows heavily from Mardi Gras,

While the legends of José Gaspar are full of alleged adventure and swashbuckling, history tells a different story.