St. Petersburg Times Article

The following article appeared in the Hillsborough County section of the St. Petersburg Times.

The Newer Krewes

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

Here is a link to the entire article. There were ten krewes highlighted in the article.
www.sptimes.com/2005/01/29/Hillsborough/The_newer_Krewes.shtml