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Welcome, ye virgins

Look who's bringing up the rear - and not complaining a whit. The last five krewes to roll are making their debut in Gasparilla's Parade of Pirates.

By Times Staff Writer
Published January 25, 2008

The Krewe of Ann Jeffries will make their debut at the Gasparilla Parade on Saturday.
	[Daniel Wallace | Times]

Look who's bringing up the rear - and not complaining a whit. The last five krewes to roll are making their debut in Gasparilla's Parade of Pirates. They've been in the children's parade and the Ybor City Knight Parade, and finally they've met the criteria to break into the 115-unit lineup. It's not always an easy feat. Spots are limited and newbies must wait their turn. Who dropped out? Or got kicked out? Doesn't matter to these rookies. They just hope you'll watch till the very end.

Krewe of Ann Jeffrey

Members: 37 women; membership is capped at 50.

Incorporated: January 2007.

Evolution: Named for the English beauty Ann Jeffrey, who captured the heart of Jose Gaspar, according to legend. That scalawag seized her ship - and tried to hijack her heart. Alas, she swooned for one of his men instead, the pirate Batista. As the myth goes, Gaspar spared the couple so they could live happily ever after. This krewe likes happy endings.

Float No. 109: A 30-foot pirate ship named the Florida Blanca (Spanish for white flower).

Costume: Bustier and white jabot under brightly colored jacket with ruffle on the back over black slacks; black knee-high boots and cavalier feathered hats.

Bead: The Florida Blanca sailing toward shore where gems tumble from a treasure chest.

Charity: Agencies for people with disabilities.

Motto: Seize the moment.

Members: 150 men and women.

Incorporated: July 2006.

Evolution: Organized to honor the Italian, Cuban, Spanish, German and other hardworking immigrants who gave Ybor City its spicy flavor.

Float No. 113: Ybor City architecture, brick walls, wrought-iron railings and two street lamps. Also full bar and three restrooms.

Costume: Guayabera with black or tan pants and a Panama hat for the men. Flamenco dancer dress or bolero and black pants for women.

Beads: Cigar with a blinking tip and an Ybor City-style brick building with blinking streetlight.

Krewe TV: Spirit of Cigar City Live airs weekly on the Tampa Bay Community Network, Fridays at 7 p.m. on Bright House Channel 950 and Verizon Channel 30. Replays Sunday at 9 p.m. on Bright House Channel 949 and Verizon Channel 36.

Charity: Toys to the Children's Home and Susan B. Komen three-day Breast Cancer walk.

Motto: Our people, our city and our pride.

Members: 50 men and women, most of them longtime friends.

Incorporated: 2000.

Evolution: With a nod to an area known for copious lightning strikes, they chose a variation of the Spanish word for thunder.

Float No. 112: A two-story blue castle to hide their plunder. (They claim it has the nicest bathroom of any float.)

Costume: Corsair style, the men wear black cotton pantaloons; the women wear sexy black skirts. Both wear white cotton pirate shirts, black boots and silver bead belts.

Bead: A thunderbolt through Tampa's skyline.

Charity: Angels Unaware.

Motto: Faith, Philanthropy and Fellowship Forever.

Members: 75 men and women.

Incorporated: April 2005.

Evolution: After many years belonging to other krewes, four women organized this bunch of diverse personalities with a Wild West spirit of adventure. They compare themselves to mustang horses, "daring, fun-loving and unwilling to ride with the herd."

Float No. 111: Old-time saloon.

Costume: Sexy chaps for the men; colorful corsets for the gals over black pants or skirts, black Stetsons and boots.

Bead: Silhouette of a cowgirl in a horseshoe.

Charity: Child Abuse Council, Ybor City State museum, Animal Coalition of Tampa, among others.

Motto: This is not my first rodeo.

Members: 100 men and women. Must belong to the Italian Club.

Incorporated: October 2004.

Evolution: Formed to attract new members to the Italian Club and promote its mission.

Float No. 110: Roman courtyard with Doric columns on all sides.

Costume: Men dress as Roman senators or gladiators in white togas and sandals. Women wear long red, purple or white Roman goddess gowns.

Bead: Features a trinacria, which means "triangle," symbolic of the shape of Sicily.

Charity: The Italian Club.

[Last modified January 26, 2008, 00:02:12]