KREWE & PARADE TIPS

BEADS – For the new members who have not paraded before, the question is how much will you need. I personally bring 3-4 cases (or 3-4 near full Toomey’s bead bags full) in addition to miscellaneous throws (poker chips, bells, fake money, cups, water bottles, etc.). NO CARDBOARD BOXES WILL BE ALLOWED ON THE FLOAT. BRING YOUR BEADS IN BEAD BAGS. You will throw a LOT more than you think. Stock up. If you have extra, you can save them for the next parade. The one thing you don’t want to do is be left standing there with nothing to throw to the crowd.

THROWS – They must be 2 oz. or smaller. We had several items printed with our official krewe logo on them. These have been approved for distribution parade day. Some items are ideal to trade with other krewes for specialty items (logo beads, mugs, water bottles, koozies, etc.). They vary in price so check this website for pictures and prices. T shirts and baby doll Ts are in stock. Medallion beads are still available, as are logo poker chips in very limited amounts. You may email your orders to me and I will bag them up and have them ready for early pick up parade day delivery.

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES are allowed on the float, but will NOT be provided by the organization. All members are of legal drinking age and are allowed to bring these beverages on board on an individual basis. Personal coolers are allowed and recommended, and will be stored under the high middle platform.

BRING FLATS, FLIP FLOPS, OR SLIPPERS to wear on the float during the parade. Movement is sometimes jerky due to stop and go, and it is easy to lose your balance when in motion, especially in high heels. No one will see your feet during the parade, so bring a more comfortable substitution.

LINEUP is always at a specific time and place for each parade. Pensacola Mardi Gras Association urges ALL krewes to preload beads BEFORE lineup. This will be at the new storage location downtown, at 9:30 am on parade day. Remember, NO CARDBOARD BOXES allowed on the float. Go to www.pensacolamardigras.com and look at the parade route. Park somewhere close to the end of it. It is a longer walk back to the car after parading than it seemed from the car to the float when you first got there. Lineup and walking through all the floats and swapping beads and goodies is half the fun, so plan to be at least an hor early each parade. Trust me, get there early enough to do both or you’ll miss out on the whole Mardi Gras experience.

ATTIRE for parade days is your choice- within reason. A fedora hat is a required part of the costume that will identify you as a Mystic Mafia Gangster Girl. Colors and print and the rest of the costume is up to you. Pinstripes are recognized gangster attire (pants, skirts, jackets, etc.). However, keep in mind you will be leaning over the rails or sides, picking things up from below, and standing elevated from the crowd. Be aware of very short skirts and the view from below, as well as low cut cleavage in bustiers and the view from above.

COOLERS are allowed on the float. Please share to condense float space. Pensacola Mardi Gras Association prohibits liquor consumption on the parade, with beer as the exception, per annual guidelines. Please plan accordingly.

BRING SNACKS! This is an all day event. You will need to eat throughout the day. Sandwiches, wraps, snacks trave well. Hydration is important, so bring bottled water, as well.

NO GLASS is allowed on the float or in the celebration, per Pensacola Mardi Gras Association rules.

Annual dues are to be paid by the last day of September of each year. Starting in 2010, there will be LATE FEES assessed for any members not paying on time. Fees will increase $50 for each month they are paid past September, no exceptions. Dues come the same time every year, just like any other holiday, so please plan accordingly, as our budget is finalized in October.

PLACEMENT on the float is determined by amount of work and support given as determined by the Board of Directors in order of priority. There will be a seating chart with your places marked on the float when you arrive parade day. Requests for placement with your friends will be considered and fulfilled to the best of our ability. Be sure to get your requests in early.

ALL UNDERGARMENTS SHOULD BE COVERED at all times. If your costume includes these skimpy items, please remember to layer. Clothing should fit appropriately. If you have to ask if it is acceptable, chances are it isn't. Keep in mind these are family oriented events.

NO CARDBOARD ON THE FLOAT. This means unbox your beads at home. There is no room for discarded boxes on the float or parade route. We need to minimize trash. Bead bags (From Toomey's or even Sam's) are best. They handle weight well and are collapsable and you can write your name on them and reuse them year after year.

DO NOT:
Throw any candy
Touch the stereo system
Litter
Jump from the float
Get off/on the float while in motion
Share alcohol with minors
Exit any way except the back steps
Run out of throws!

NO SMOKING on or around the float. There are many flammable items, including costumes.

SPOTTERS, as chosen by the Board of Directors, will be walking with us on parade days. If your man is chosen to be a spotter, remember to bring enough beads to keep him busy for the whole parade (I recommend 2-3 cases). Also, he should wear black pants and he will need a red or white krewe T shirt. They are $10 each. Standard sizes small – XXL. There aren’t that many large sizes so get them asap if you need one.

COMMUNICATION is readily available. I email notices, changes, and updates to all current regularly. There is also updated information posted on the website. The Pensacola Mardi Gras website also just started a discussion board page for all krewes on their website. Feel free to post questions for the local mardi gras community or other members/krewes to answer. Check all outlets to make sure you are in the know and don’t miss out on anything.

PARTNER KREWE - OUR BROTHER KREWE IS KREWE DE ANDRES DePEZ. WE WILL CO-HOST RANDOM EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, SUCH AS HAPPY HOURS AND PARTIES. MAKE SURE TO TOAST THE GUYS IN THE RED CAPES ON PARADE DAYS!!!!