The Jose Gasparilla II makes its final sail from Tampa on Saturday, 27 February 2027. EventFest, Inc. publishes a 4:00 p.m. dock at Sparkman Wharf for the Outbound Voyage, with Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla and pediatric cancer survivors aboard for one last run around Davis and Harbor Islands. A 20-person company team gets a Saturday afternoon on a waterfront property whose published Saturday hours run to 11:00 p.m. Catering is the constraint on the booking, and the property's own conduct rules settle it.
What the organiser publishes
EventFest, Inc. produces the event and Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla sails it. The event page gives the date and the 4:00 p.m. dock at Sparkman Wharf, 615 Channelside Drive. It describes the ship as the world's only fully-rigged pirate ship and the sail as the krewe's final voyage before it returns to sea.
The page publishes no end time and no ticket price for the 27 February sail. It sends buyers to the Gasparilla Treasures web shop for reserved event tickets and for official merchandise. Two forms on the page take vendor and sponsor inquiries. EventFest answers on (813) 251-3378 and at office@eventfest.com, from 1200 W Cass St, Suite 110, Tampa, FL 33606.
What a 20-person group books
Four items cover the afternoon. Reserved event tickets come from the Gasparilla Treasures web shop, and one order gives the party one confirmation number. A reserved area comes from Sparkman Wharf private events, on 813.618.5844 or contactus@sparkmanwharf.com. The venue publishes no capacity, minimum spend or rate for that space, so the quote request carries the headcount and the hours.
Parking is the third item. The venue lists three facilities: Channelside Garage at 369 South 12th Street, the Sparkman Lot at 615 Channelside Drive, and East Cumberland Garage at 1045 East Cumberland Avenue, all Tampa, FL 33602. The parking page carries a reservation link and no rate, so ask for the advance price in writing before the cost goes into a budget.
Transport is the fourth. The venue puts the closest streetcar stop by Amalie Arena Station #8, at Beneficial Drive and Channelside Drive, and describes the ride as free. The Pirate Water Taxi runs 14 stops including Sparkman Wharf, Wednesday through Sunday. The Cross Bay Ferry adds a water crossing on the Provincetown III. Ask EventFest for the coach drop point and the wait window, because the site publishes no coach zone for the date.
The rules that shape the catering
Sparkman Wharf publishes its park conduct rules as private property. Outside food is prohibited. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited. Glass containers are prohibited, apart from small containers such as baby food jars. Suitcases, coolers and backpacks are prohibited, with or without wheels. Folding chairs are prohibited.
Food therefore comes from the property's dining garden and restaurant tenants, or through the private events team. A caterer arriving with trays, a chafing dish and a cooler gets turned away at the entrance. Alcohol comes from the venue's own bars.
Three further rules shape the team's kit. Flags, banners and signs used for commercial purposes need authorisation. Photography and recording for commercial purposes need authorisation, so the company photographer needs permission before the day. Drones, remote control toys, skateboards, scooters and inline skates are prohibited. Guests keep three feet from the wharf edge, and guests under 14 stay with a guest aged 18 or over.
The festival organiser adds its own list for Gasparilla events: no outside food or beverage, no coolers, no glass under City of Tampa ordinance, no grills, no tents, no ropes or stakes, and no pets apart from animals assisting the handicapped. The venue's conduct rules allow leashed pets under control. A team bringing a dog needs the answer from both offices in writing.
Timing for a Saturday
Sparkman Wharf publishes Sunday to Thursday hours of 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and Friday and Saturday hours of 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. A 4:00 p.m. arrival sits inside the Saturday window, and the venue stays open seven hours after the dock.
The event page carries no finish time, so the departure time belongs in the booking. EventFest states that Gasparilla events run in rain, and that it reserves the right with the krewe and the City of Tampa to cancel if dangerous weather threatens participants or guests. A team travelling from out of town should hold a flexible return.
Rooms for the team
bookmyteam.org states that it cannot process hotel booking requests from or for residents of Florida, Hawaii, Iowa and Washington. Florida's notice cites Chapter 559, Florida Statutes. Compliance questions go to compliance@hotelhuddle.com.
A Tampa room block goes to property sales offices directly. EventFest and Sparkman Wharf publish no partner hotel list and no rate for this date. Ask each property for the group rate, the cut-off date and the minimum stay in writing, then ask how many rooms release without penalty.
The asks that close the booking
Put five questions in writing before the deposit. EventFest holds the coach drop point and any vendor permission. The Sparkman Wharf private events team holds the reserved-area rate and the catering arrangement. The parking operator holds the advance rate for a 20-vehicle block. The ticket shop holds the seat or standing allocation. Each answer changes a line in the team's budget.
