Gasparilla can cost you a king's bounty | News

Tampa, FL -- If you plan to attend either the Children's Gasparilla Parade this Saturday or the Gasparilla Parade of Pirates next weekend, you can easily spend a king's bounty.

VIP seating alone can run you more than $100. Add on parking, food from vendors and a few souvenirs and you could be shelling out some real gold.

Photo Gallery: Gasparilla 2011

Darrell Stefany, the President of EventFest says reserved tickets are still available for both parades.

You can purchase tickets by clicking here.

Stefany says reserved bleacher seats are $23 each for this Saturday and $35 each for next weekend's parade. But while he says the tickets can still be purchased online you will have to pick them up in person.

"You are going to have to get those at will call here at our office on (West) Cass Street and then we will have will call pick-up at our ticket locations at the event as well," Stefany said on Thursday.

On the higher end, Stefany says are offering what is called the Scully Hospitality Experience this year. An adult ticket for the day of the Gasparilla Parade of Pirates to the Scully Experience runs $106. The ticket includes reserved seating, food and non-alcoholic tickets.

Other Gasparilla items that you can purchase include a foam sword for $5, a pirate throw doll for $3, T-shirts for $10, baseball caps for $12, polos for $32, and Gasparilla coins for $1 each.

Parking will also run you a pretty penny unless you decide to take the bus or do some serious walking. While prices can vary greatly expect to pay anywhere from $20 to $30 to park on the day of the parade.

Tampa Police also warn that if you don't behave that could cost you as well.  Andre Davis with T.P.D. says they will be watching for underage drinking as well as those walking around with an open intoxicant outside the approved wet zones, which are essentially along the parade route.

Organizers note the Children's Parade is an alcohol free event.

As in past years officials estimate a crowd of 100,000 for this Saturday's event and 300,000 for next weekend's parade.