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The newer Krewes

By Times staff writers
Published January 29, 2005

Founding members of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla must have been on to something when they started Tampa's first krewe 101 years ago. Since then, the number of krewes has multiplied like paradegoers' bead collections. Most of the groups join the Inter-Krewe Council, which boasts 49 members. Here are descriptions of some of the newer krewes.

YE ENCHANTED KREWE OF BRIGADOON

A mutiny in the Krewe of Famhair birthed Ye Enchanted Krewe of Brigadoon. Brigadoon's founding members left Famhair last year in favor of a more democratic krewe run by its members, Brigadoon's chief Scott Sestak said.

Nearly 50 members of the old krewe joined the new one, he said. Now, the 9-month-old krewe has 118 members.

The krewe has yet to narrow its charitable focus. Instead, its members hold fundraisers for all their favorite charities. So far, the krewe has worked with The Spring, Meals on Wheels, Metropolitan Ministries and the Tampa Bay Humane Society. They've also supported tsunami victims and hurricane relief efforts.

The krewe's name, Brigadoon, comes from a Broadway musical by the same name about a mystical, secret village in Scotland that opens its doors to outsiders only once every century. In a nod to its democratic roots, the krewe's motto is "Unity and Equality." Its symbol is a dragon.

Sestak said he expects about 70 members, who pay $100 in annual dues, to participate in today's parade. They'll ride atop a medieval-themed float featuring a castle, rolling hills and a steel dragon sculpture.

"We're in the Gasparilla parade this year, our inaugural year," Sestak said. "If you're a new krewe, it's very hard to to do. We had a lot of friends who helped with that effort though. It wasn't just us."

- SHERRI DAY

Capt. Wayne Thompson helped found the Krewe of the Hibiscus in 2002 in hopes that it would remain a smaller krewe. The 12 founding members wanted everyone to know everyone, so they capped membership at 60.

"It's a good family feel," he said.

They came up with the theme, a cruise ship, at a meeting at Four Green Fields. Hibiscus is the name of their fictitious cruise ship.

The 36 male and female members come from across the region, from Brandon to Palm Harbor. The group joined the Inter-Krewe Council in June but won't appear in today's parade for lack of space.

Community service is the focus of the krewe, said provost marshal Bill Nipper. Big Brothers Big Sisters is their designated charity. Nipper and his wife, Mary, are a Big Couple to a young brother and sister.

So far, the krewe has taken part in eight parades, most recently the Gasparilla Children's Parade. Twelve pairs of Big and Little Brothers and Big and Little Sisters marched with them.

Their costumes are flowered shirts and white shorts or pants. Men wear a captain's hat. Some of the women wear sun dresses. Dues are $200 a year.

- ELISABETH DYER

For inspiration, Ye Mystic Krewe of the Nautilus looks to the Jules Verne character Captain Nemo and his crew in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. In March 2003, University of South Florida graduates Minesh Patel and Leslie Schillig borrowed from the classic novel to start a club of environmentally minded parade lovers.

"We wanted to start a Gasparilla krewe but make it useful," said Patel, an engineer and president of the 80-member group. "Captain Nemo was an environmentalist; he only hunted what he needed to eat."

Hooking up with the Florida Aquarium provides plenty of projects and educational opportunities. Recent efforts include building oyster bars in Gibsonton and working on the Mayor's Rollin' on the River Parks Cleanup.

For fun, the krewe canoes the Hillsborough River Wilderness Park. The group organized the silent auction for the Aquarium's recent Sushi Showdown.

The krewe spent $20,000 to build a float resembling Captain Nemo's submarine, the Nautilus. Look for the big green metal double-decker in today's Gasparilla parade.

Costumes follow the fashions worn in the novel's era, post-Civil War. The men wear peacock blue naval jackets and white pants. Young boys wear loose-fitting shirts and a colorful sash.

Since the novel has no women, female costumes took some creativity. Maroon or blue waist cinchers are worn over long, gold, off-the-shoulder dresses.

Dues are $500 for a family, $300 for a single membership. The group has applied for membership to the Inter-Krewe Council. They weren't selected for today's parade but plan to roll through Ybor City in the Sant'Yago Knight Parade Feb. 12.

- AMY SCHERZER

Formed in February after last year's Gasparilla, this krewe's motto is "Get on the Good Foot." Its name underscores its mission. The krewe's 50 members dedicate themselves to raising money to benefit amputees and their families.

Much of the krewe's work is done in consultation with the Shriners. The krewe, whose members are largely from Apollo Beach, Ruskin and Riverview, has purchased hand cycles for two teenage double amputees. Next up, special tricycles for toddlers.

To become a member of the unisex Peg-Leg Pirates, one need only an invitation and a heart for more than parades and social events, krewe Capt. Shirley Huber said. Huber, who lost her left leg 25 years ago in a car accident, is the krewe's only amputee member.

The krewe has been participating in several Bay area parades since its inception. Their treasure island-themed float has a waterfall and a tiki hut. They wear tropical print shirts. Annual dues are $300.

But don't look for them in the Gasparilla parade. They didn't get in.

"Obviously, you're disappointed when you don't get in the parade, but nobody was really upset about it," Huber said. "The main thing about us is we really look at ourselves as a fundraising organization first and a pirate second. I think that says a lot about us."

- SHERRI DAY

If not for James Young's kids, the Krewe of Privateers might not exist.

Here's why: When his two children were a year old, both won most-beautiful-child contests that raised money for All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg. Young, a longtime Krewe of Libertalia member, said he was so impressed with the hospital's policy of treating all families, regardless of income, that he decided to focus all his energies there.

That led to a break two years ago with Libertalia, a split that involved nine other members.

The Privateers, who dress like pirates and ride in a blue ship, have since raised $15,000 for the hospital.

"It's more than just what we're going to do this weekend; drinking and partying," said Young, a successful businessman with two Golden Corral franchises. "We're all on the same page."

The 30-member krewe joined the Inter-Krewe Council in the past year and will appear in today's parade. Annual dues are $500.

- JOSH ZIMMER

The name inspires images of hard-partying pirates - images that Captain Henry Morgan and the Krewe of RumRunners, ordinarily a community-friendly krewe, sometimes have to downplay.

"We're known by the other krewes as the Rum Runners," said founding member Steve Plotz. "But when we go to places like Hope Children's Home or Shriners' Hospital, we're known just as Captain Morgan and his krewe. We deviate from the RumRunners because we don't want children to associate us with alcohol."

The Tampa krewe's name - an homage to pirate Henry Morgan, whose visage graces rum bottles worldwide - might seem an odd choice. But the men and women of the RumRunners aren't averse to having a good time.

Plotz and his 53 krewemates founded Captain Morgan three years ago as a way to step up their involvement with children's charities.

"When you join our krewe, you're committing to community involvement with children," Plotz said.

New to the Inter-Krewe Council, this marks the RunRummers' third appearance in the Gasparilla parade. Annual dues are $500 for regular members and $650 for parade members.

- JAY CRIDLIN

Firefighters throughout the Bay area will parade together beneath the red banner of the Krewe of Saint Florian.

Wearing fire uniforms from the turn of the century, they'll toss beads and cheer along the Gasparilla route in celebration of all the work they do for charities throughout the year.

These 90 firefighters are especially appreciated by the Hope Children's Home, Shriners Hospitals For Children and the Muscular Dystrophy Association's local chapter.

"We kind of spread ourselves out a bit. As people call, we help them as needed," said krewe secretary Steve Fortier, a firefighter with Tampa Fire Rescue.

Saint Florian is the patron saint of firefighters. It became part of the Inter-Krewe Council in the past year and joined the parade in 2000. Annual dues are $100.

Jack Barker and Gary Allen founded the krewe five years ago as a community service group. About 200 firefighters from Tampa to Polk County, including Clearwater Fire Rescue and Pasco County Fire Rescue, have been members.

One firefighter who lives in Europe was made an honorary member after marching with the krewe twice in the parade.

"That's how well-known Gasparilla is," Fortier said.

- TIM GRANT

It should be easy to recognize the Krewe of Sinbad. They'll be wearing the finest garments a pirate can buy.

The 45-member krewe formed in 2000 is modeled after the fictitious cartoon character Sinbad, the wealthy sailor who invaded Tampa and stayed here after falling in love with its superior wines, beers and cigars.

"Sinbad liked finery. So that's why our Krewe looks the way they do," said Elaine Arroyo, who founded the krewe with her husband, Armando. Dues are $300 a year.

While they established the krewe as a social club for their close-knit circle of friends in South Tampa, the members do community service projects for children and elderly people in Tampa.

Once a year, the krewe members visit area hospitals and nursing homes to give out beads and stuffed animals while dressed in their colorful chiffon, suede, silk and shiny satin outfits.

"We feel a lot of people don't pay enough attention to the elderly," Arroyo said. "They are very lonely sometimes. We need to make them smile."

New to the Inter-Krewe Council, the Krewe of Sinbad began taking part in the parade in 2000 with 15 members.

- TIM GRANT

How far has the Krewe of the South Shore Marauders come since founding in 2002?

Far enough for two members to want to marry onboard the krewe's new float before the start of today's parade.

Terry Padgett and Aaron Malo will tie the knot sometime around noon. And their minister? "He's going to be in pirate garb, too," said krewe member Kay Cosgrove.

The coed Marauders of Apollo Beach were a spinoff of Ye Royal Krewe of Charlotte DeBerry, an all-female krewe in south Hillsborough County. Its founding members, many of them married, wanted to share the experience with their spouses.

Cosgrove and her husband, Pat, are among the krewe's approximately 105 members. The Marauders' mascot is the manatee, and this year, they have a new blue and gold pirate ship float.

New to the Inter-Krewe Council, the krewe has participated in the Gasparilla parade for the past few years. Annual dues are $200.

"We've got a great group of people," Kay Cosgrove said. "It's going to be a big day for us."

- JAY CRIDLIN

Flappers, divas or belles? Four female friends sat on the verandah of the Belleview Biltmore Resort to form the Krewe of Southern Sisterhood in April 2002.

They described themselves as: "ladies who embody the Southern ideals of gentility, strength, resolve, initiative, wit and humor."

In other words, Iron Magnolias.

"Our membership application asks how many times you have watched Gone With the Wind," said Christine Desiderio, president of the 35-member club. "That's like a prerequisite."

Other questions: "Who would you marry, Rhett or Ashley?" "How many sets of pearls do you have?"

Costumes are turn-of-the-century Victorian dresses. Think Hello Dolly or Gigi.

Their float resembles a Victorian house dotted with magnolias and gingerbread details. The group's monthly community projects have included collecting books, clothes, toys and money for different organizations.

The sisters joined the Inter-Krewe Council in May. They didn't make the cut for today's parade but they will ride in the Sant'Yago Knight Parade Feb. 12. Annual dues are $200.

- AMY SCHERZER

[Last modified January 29, 2005, 01:02:10]