Tampa has two century-old traditions: The first cigars were rolled here in 1886. Beginning in 1904, pirates have invaded Tampa in an annual celebration called Gasparilla. The Gasparilla Parade of Pirates is reportedly the third largest parade in the USA. Last Saturday, hundreds of floats paraded down Bayshore Boulevard before 300,000 spectators. For the first time in more than 50 years, the parade included a new cigar float by J.C. Newman Cigar Co.
J.C. Newman’s new parade float is a replica of its historic, El Reloj cigar factory, which is the last traditional cigar factory still operating in the United States. While the float paraded through Tampa, spectators were able to watch a cigar roller on board hand roll José Gaspar cigars. In addition to longtime J.C. Newman employees, the float also carried the official 2022 Miss Tampa, Tori Leto.
“Cigars and Gasparilla have been essential parts of Tampa’s identity for more than 100 years,” said Drew Newman, fourth generation owner. “We wanted to bring them together by rolling José Gaspar cigars as well as being featured in the Gasparilla parade.”
Although pirates have always smoked cigars along the parade route, cigar floats have been absent from the parade for many decades. The most recent photos of a cigar float in Gasparilla are from the 1960s.
“We also believe that this may have been the first time that cigars have been hand rolled on a moving vehicle,” said Newman. “We hand rolled cigars on our float because we wanted to show all of the paradegoers the art and tradition of premium cigars.”
As long time members of the original Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, Eric and Bobby Newman road J.C. Newman’s parade float in full pirate gear.
“My hope is that our J.C. Newman cigar float can participate in lots of parades in the years ago, and perhaps event attend the Premium Cigar Association trade show in Las Vegas,” said Newman.
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