TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) —The 2021 Gasparilla festivities have been canceled due to ongoing health and safety concerns related to the coronavirus pandemic, Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla announced Tuesday.

“We hoped to safely and effectively hold Children’s Gasparilla presented by Chick-fil-A Tampa Bay and Seminole Hard Rock Gasparilla Pirate Fest, but believe it is our community’s best interest to refrain from hosting festivities this year,” said YMKG Captain Peter Lackman. “The pirate invasion will continue in 2022, with the excitement and revelry that Tampa Bay has come to know and love.”

The annual Parade of Pirates was scheduled to take place on April 17, but it likely won’t happened until Jan. 29 of next year, event organizers say. The children’s parade is the week before. The closing event, Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla’s Outbound Voyage, will happen Feb. 26, 2022.

Gasparilla has been held in Tampa almost every year since 1904. Festivities include an invasion by pirate José Gaspar who according to folklore, raided the west coast of Florida during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

YMKG has organized Gasparilla since its inception.

Children’s parade ticket holders can get a refund transfer credit on their account to get tickets to the parade next year. Those who use the credit will get an “extra 15% bonus in value” that can be used to buy tickets or merchandise. The credit can also be donated to the Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla Community Fund, which supports local scholarships and community food programs.

For more information, ticket holders can call (813) 251-8844 or contact office@eventfest.com.