The Gasparilla Festival of the Arts, now one of the country's premier outdoor art events, has a rich history in the City of Tampa.

Many changes have occurred in the 37 years of the Festival. The prize money has grown from its original $3,900 total to $61,500 total for the 2006 event. Categories of submission have expanded to include fine crafts. The time of year was changed from the sometimes blustery February to the first weekend of March. In 1995 the logo and the name were changed to reflect new goals and expand the focus to include other cultural entities in the community such as the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center and the Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library.

The Festival has always been run by a completely volunteer Board of Directors and Festival Committee who spend many years, months and hours working to make the Festival better every year. Lively entertainment has always been an integral part of the Festival and for the last few years Tampa Bay area school systems have provided young performers in addition to the professionals.

The history is rich, the traditions are timeless. The Festival has come into the new century as a vital cultural asset poised for a bright future.