Gasparilla Guide 2023: Everything You Need To Know

  I t's that time of year! Gasparilla season. The pirates have taken over.  Me and another pirate, 2017 Another year has come and that means it's time for another season of Gasparilla. Lets get some of the more important questions out of the way real quick: How much does it cost? Nothing. Gasparilla is a free event. They do offer paid upgrades, but the parade itself is free. Where is it? The Children's parade and Day parade are off of Bayshore Ave in South Tampa into the Channel District in Downtown Tampa. The Knight Parade is on 7th Ave in Ybor City. Where do we park? I've found that the easiest place to park is the parking garages in Ybor. They offer parking + a bus into Downtown for a reasonable price (note: This has not been announced for 2023 as of now. This will change as the event draws nearer.).  You can also park on neighborhood streets. You'll get a few individuals who will try to scare you away. Keep in mind that they do not own the road and you are free
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Chamber of Terror: Tampa's Fall Carnival

It may not be Bozo, but have you met Bubba?

Banner, 2019

Welcome to Tampa's only fall festival. After the fall of the Last Laugh Toy Company, the residents have struggled, looking for some form of refuge... Somewhere to call home. That refuge was found just south of Gandy, at a civic center off Oklahoma. There's tents of fun, games of chance, and even a kissing booth. Do you dare take a step inside and experience the fun for yourself?

 Truck, 2019

Chamber of Terror has consistently been one of Tampa's most terrifying haunted houses since their pro debut on the scene four years ago. Prior to becoming a pro haunt, Chamber of Terror spent many successful years as a backyard Halloween event. After taking a year off to reinvent themselves, Chamber of Terror is back and it's time for an entirely new concept.

Bubba, 2019

Right off that bat, I'll say that I've been critical of Chamber of Terror's sets in the past, mainly using the location they've been in as the set itself. This year, I'll gladly admit, I was wrong. The sets are absolutely beautiful. The tents that are set up, the midway, and even the fortune teller were all beautifully designed. That said, the characters are where Chamber of Terror has always been the strongest. Before you even go into the house, you're met by Bubba, a laughably unfunny clown who tries his hardest, but can never truly catch a break. 

Party Hard, 2019

Once inside the house, the fears come to life. Perhaps these carnies weren't as friendly as originally believed. Expect the house to take you roughly 15 minutes to complete. Make sure to take your time and appreciate all of the detail put into this event. And, if you're claustrophobic, might I suggest taking the crawl space? There are some decent frights in places that you would never expect to see. Scenes you should definitely look out for: Any indoor scene, the camper, and the entire exit out of the first building. 

 Ticket Booth, 2019

Things to know before you go:
- The event runs every Friday and Saturday in October. Tickets start at $13.00.
- There is a parking lot on property, as well as food, (soft) drinks, and bathrooms. 
- Money from this events benefits the Boy Scouts. 
- I would not bring my young children. 

Were you excited to see Chamber of Terror back this year? Is Bubba the best clown you've ever met? Leave a comment below. If you'd like more information on Tampa, check out my YouTube Channel and if you'd like to support my efforts, don't hesitate to buy a shirt from our Spreadshirt (we have new designs!).  Also, don't be afraid to click subscribe and you'll instantly be notified whenever a new entry is posted. If you'd like to meet other people who love Tampa, consider joining our Facebook Group. Thank you all and I will see you next time!
Location: 4207 W Oklahoma Ave, Tampa, FL 33616, USA

Comments

  1. UnknownOctober 27, 2019 at 3:59 PM

    First.. They are NOT suppose to grab you. Well they grabbed my arm and I had to pull away and now have a nice scratch on my arm. My husband and the other group said they were grabbed as well.

    Second... They separated my husband and I the entire time. I was with a stranger I had never met. Not cool! I go to haunted houses to have the fun with my husband not to be separated the entire time and with strangers.

    I attempted to talk to staff after the trail and also through facebook messenger and they were very disrespectful or acted as if all of this was normal. They only offered for me to come back again... Why would I do go back!

    Just beware of the grabbing, separation and poor management when things go wrong. We will never be back again. I am sorry we drove an hour for that experience.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MarkOctober 27, 2019 at 4:51 PM

      I went through three times and was never grabbed. In what part of the haunt did this happen?

      And, to be fair, separation isn't THAT abnormal. Howl-O-Scream did it with Simon's Slaughterhouse last year (or was it the year before?).

      Delete
  2. Tampa House PaintersNovember 23, 2019 at 5:39 PM

    We like that it benefits the boy scouts.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MarkNovember 27, 2019 at 5:14 PM

      It's always nice to see businesses that support the community.

      Delete

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