The general of the Ybor Army notified the Ybor City Mayor Tom Keating (this years honorary mayor and Ybor Chamber president) of the plan to counteract the Jose Gaspar pirates invading the waters of the bay. Thus starts the annual Gasparilla festivities in Tampa. The fun filled ceremonial fight is with the Ybor Navy forces throwing Cuban bread, Black beans and rice at the pirates using water cannons to capture their way into Tampa through Ybor City. this fun reenactment sets the stage for Tampa’s social events through February and March. The wet trenched fight was behind the Florida Aquarium on the SS American Victory ship and smaller vessels were on the bay. A wet event was had by all! The previous night a spectacular multi krewe fundraising event had a fun night of dancing, entertainment on board.and a silent auction