Navarre Krewe of Jesters
The Navarre Krewe of Jesters has been ACTIVE in the Florida Panhandle since 1986. The Krewe is responsible for coordinating and producing the Annual Navarre Beach Mardi Gras Parade & Party with attendance in 2004 approaching 35,000.
The Krewe is community oriented and regularly participates in the American Cancer Society “Relay for Life” and “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” events.
The Krewe also makes seasonal visits to the Bay Breeze Retirement Home bringing Christmas cheer and Mardi Gras beads to those who cannot go out to enjoy Christmas and Mardi Gras otherwise.
The Krewe is also backing a scholarship program for local high school students and in 2004 was able to give two $4000.00 scholarships to two deserving graduates of Navarre High School.
Year Founded: 1986
City: Navarre Beach
Members: 80
Goals: Community Oriented
Krewe Motto: Qui non stultus (Who are not fools)
Additional Information: Founded in 1986 by Burt Johnson and Ken Leveque Jr., the Navarre Krewe of Jesters was conceived at the Navarre Orleans Restaurant at Navarre Beach, Florida. Throughout the years, the Krewe has grown in ranks to nearly 80 members and the parade, first held 2/28/1987, has grown from 10 or so walking Jesters and a few ragtag vehicles and floats to almost 60 floats and entries in the 2004 parade.
This annual event takes place on the Saturday prior to Ash Wednesday and draws entries from several local businesses and social organizations as well as organizations from as far away as central Alabama. We are well known as a family oriented parade and many families are annual spectators, knowing that their children will enjoy a parade free from the bacchanalian escapades that inundate other parades. We are also famous for having the best throws of area parades.
In 2006 we have plans for the biggest and best Mardi Gras season ever. Efforts are underway to build the the biggest floats Navarre Beach has ever seen and long lost original Jesters are being tracked down and invited to attend the 20th Annual Navarre Beach Mardi Gras Parade & Party to be held on 2/25/2006.
We look forward to bringing this annual event to the Gulf Coast and encourage all to either attend or participate in the parade itself. Membership applications and Parade Entry forms are available on-line in the Applications area of this website.
Charities: Amercican Cancer Society Local Scholarships Retirement Homes
Open Membership: Yes 2