Krewe of Venus Lights It Up in the Sant 'Yago Knight Parade & Rough Riders St Patrick's Parade

Our two night parades of the 2015 Gasparilla season were the Sant' Yago Illuminated Knight Parade on Valentine's Day February 14th and the Rough Riders St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 14th both through the streets of Ybor.

"The evening parades allow for a festive light display and the Krewe of Venus floats are adorned with a glow that highlights our Venus statue as well as our royal court," shared Brandt Cosgrove, Krewe of Venus President.  "As our motto is for this year.....Don't stop the party!"

Many of the Krewe of Venus members were adorned with red valentine heart beads for the Sant' Yago Knight Parade.

"My husband and I love celebrating this day traditionally known for lovers by sharing with the Tampa Bay community," says a smiling Lucille Clark.  "We give out many of these heart shaped beads with royal crowns as well."

Tampa set the mood for the Rough Riders St. Patrick's Night Parade by making the river green for the festivities.  Krewe of Venus members tossed green beads to the enthusiastic crowd.  Go Green was the theme!

Check out our pix......


Picture links :  Sant' Yago Knight Parade 2015  &  Rough Riders St. Patrick's Night Parade 2015

Krewe of Venus Float Dazzles at Night

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Gasparilla Parade of Pirates January 30, 2015

Tampa Bay was doomed on a sunny Saturday morning in January as the legendary pirate, Jose Gaspar, and his band of swashbuckling buccaneers returned to Tampa to reenact the historic pirate invasion of 1904.

Krewe of Venus was part of this massive Gasparilla Flotilla as over a thousand crafts led by YMKG's Jose Gasparilla made their way up the Seddon Channel between Davis Islands and Harbour Island.

"The entire channel was filled with boats in pirate gear," explained Krewe of Venus President Brandt Cosgrove. "It truly was a spectacle like no other in the world."

Krewe of Venus Gasparilla 2015 Flotilla

Amidst a volley of cannon fire, the City was defenseless as the Jose Gasparilla barreled into the Tampa Convention Center.  Mayor Bob Buckhorn surrendered the Key to the City of Tampa into the hands of Rex the Captain of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla.  

What followed was a magnificent pirate parade down Bayshore Blvd as over 9,000 parade participants threw beads, coins, and other Gasparilla memorabilia to a crowd of rowdy onlookers totaling into the hundreds of thousands. Krewe of Venus had two floats in the parade in positions of unit 46 A&B out of over 100+ floats.  The common chant from the crowd was "Beads, beads, beads!"

Krewe of Venus 50th Medallion

Krewe of Venus in honor of their 50th anniversary threw black and gold beads as well as a special commemorative 50th Anniversary medallion bead suitable for trading with other Krewes.  Happy Gasparilla 2015! 

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Krewe of Venus in the 2015 Children's Gasparilla Parade

Children of all ages lined Bayshore Blvd for the 68th Annual Children’s Gasparilla Extravaganza Saturday, January 24th.  This was an alcohol-free event celebrating the return of the Gasparilla Season to Tampa Bay.  

The Krewe of Venus had two floats in the parade in units 38 A & B.  These floats were filled with the Krewe of Venus Royal Court, members and invited guests. It was a crisp Saturday afternoon in Tampa with a slight wind but that didn’t discourage the throngs of spectators excited to receive beads!  The parade was broadcast live on TV by Fox 13.   

“Seeing the smiles on the children’s faces as our Krewe Of Venus float rolled along the parade route was very special,” shared a beaming Crystal Murphy, Queen Venus 50. 

Bill Calderazzo, King Venus 50, threw toy swords to the boys and girls.   Krewe of Venus members and guests threw beads to the cheering crowds gathered along fences and in bleachers on beautiful Bayshore Blvd.

The Children’s Gasparilla Parade included over 100 units consisting of Krewes, marching bands, dance units, primary and secondary organizations, community organizations and local businesses.  Over 100,000+ people were in attendance. 

“We kick off the Gasparilla parade season with this fun event for the kids,” explains Dianne Calderazzo, Krewe of Venus Office Manager, “Earlier in the week, we loaded beads into our floats at our Krewe Kave and made last minute preparations for the event.”

The Krewe of Venus must quickly dry clean their costumes, cleanup the floats and reload beads because the next parade is this Saturday.  The 2015 Gasparilla Parade of the Pirates is Saturday, January 31st as the pirates invade the unsuspecting City of Tampa. Look for the Krewe of Venus units 46 A & B in the parade. Shiver me timbers and see you at Gasparilla!

Like the Krewe of Venus page on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/KreweOfVenus.

   

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Memorable Night at the Krewe of Venus 50th Anniversary Royal Coronation Ball

The Krewe of Venus celebrated its 50th Anniversary of the Royal Coronation Ball in a elaborate display of costumes and pageantry at the Grand Hyatt Tampa on January 3, 2015.  The Royal Announcer for this magical evening was Lauren Cosgrove.

President Brandt Cosgrove

“Celebrating our 50th anniversary was truly one of the highlights of my Krewe of Venus presidency,” comments a beaming Brandt Cosgrove, President of the Krewe of Venus. 

King Bill Calderazzo and Queen Crystal Murphy

Bill Calderazzo was crowned King Venus 50 and Crystal Murphy crowned Queen Venus 50.  "Ever since I was a little girl I've imagined being crowned the Queen of Venus," says a smiling Crystal Murphy.  "It's a dream come true!"

Krewe of Venus Royal Court

The 50th Krewe of Venus Royal Court included Lady in Waiting Micaela Osborne and Knight Parker Holden Foreman Representing our Glorious Future.  Javier Kennedy and Duchess Christine Emery representing Krewe of Venus Founder, Mrs. Lucille Cochran.  Duke Bob Clark and Duchess Lucille Clark representing the link between New Orleans and Tampa.  Duke Mark Smith and Duchess Colleen Smith representing the introduction of Gasparilla beads. Duke Steve Kasson and Duchess Lisa Kasson representing the Annual Krewe of Venus Debutante Ball. Duke Tom Callahan and Duchess Sandy Callahan representing the Krewe of Venus King's Guard.  Duke Brandt Cosgrove and Duchess Amy Cosgrove representing the Arms of Venus. Duke Chuck Foreman and Duchess Pam Foreman representing the Krewe of Venus Community Involvement. Squire to Her Most Gracious Majesty was Mason Burke Foreman.

To view the entire photo collection from the Krewe of Venus 50th Anniversary Royal Coronation Ball and purchase high resolution printable photos, please visit the website www.mamarazzifoto.com and click on “view fotos” at the top right corner of the home page. Then enter your email address and the pass code found in the Krewe of Venus January 7th, 2015 weekly newsletter.

Krewe of Venus is accepting new members and is offering a special introductory membership for couples and singles in honor of their 50th year celebration. For more details please call the Krewe office at 813.289.9310.

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Krewe of Venus King's Guard Christmas Brunch December 14th, 2014

The festively decorated Palma Ceia Golf and Country Club was the host venue for our 2014 Krewe of Venus King's Guard Christmas Brunch. King Max Register chose the First United Methodist Children's Home for his charity and many members donated gift cards for the children's home.  

Krewe of Venus members and their families attended the delicious champagne brunch which included menu items such as ham & gruyere crepes, chicken bruschetta, tilapia with mango ginger coconut sauce, skillet potatoes, steamship pork round, greens and carrots, fruit and salads, waffles, bacon & smoked sausage, stone ground grits, custom made to order omelets and an extensive dessert selection.  Yummy in the tummy!  Pianist, Rich Grimolizzi entertained with holiday music selections on a grand piano. 

Krewe of Venus President, Brandt Cosgrove addressed the crowd with comments about the upcoming 50th anniversary Royal Coronation Ball on January 3rd, 2015 and an aggressive campaign to add new members in 2015....the Krewe's 50th year of existence.  Thank you to all who attended.  

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