Ye Mystic Krewe takes over the purse strings, giving the city the annual pirate invasion as a gift. Local government funding ceases. Krewe of Venus, founded by a woman for families and singles, joins Ye Mystic Krewe on the social scene. The new Crosstown Expressway offers too-low clearance. The parade is rerouted to Bayshore Boulevard.
Many homeowners host lawn parties.
Gasparilla pirates are joined by the brand new Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tampa is awarded the silver anniversary Super Bowl game. ABC Television plans to broadcast parts of the parade and invasion in 1991. The tradition of krewe members parading through the streets firing .38-caliber pistols loaded with blanks becomes a concern. But Mayor Sandy Freedman decides not to rock the boat.