Up and down Tampa Bay’s shore on Saturday, people donned fake tattoos, paraded with stuffed parrots, put on quirky pirate costumes and, yes, drank a lot of alcohol.

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.

Ahoy, Gasparilla season! Tampa's Mardi Gras-like festival is taking over downtown on Saturday. Why it matters: It's one of Tampa Bay's cultural touchstones — and even if you're not trying to get drunk with a bunch of bead-throwing Tampeños in ruffly shirts,