9000 N. Florda Ave.
Suite 'C'
Tampa, Florida 33604
1.813.289.9310 (Tel)
1.813.289.9302 (Fax)
EMAIL:
KVENUS@tampabay.rr.com
HISTORY OF THE KREWE OF VENUS
The Krewe of Venus, established in 1965,
is the second oldest Krewe in Tampa, Florida.
It is a social organization established to be a part of
the Bay Area Krewe Festivities occurring during the late
winter/early spring months and continuing on a lesser scale
throughout the year.
It is one of many social groups in the Bay area using
the designation of Krewe.
The Krewe of Venus heritage extends
over three decades in Tampa.
Our founder, Mrs. Frank (Lucille) Cochran,
and members of the Tampa Women's Club
started our Krewe. The organizations and
first year's activities were established with
the assistance of the New Orleans Krewe of Venus.
Their support and repesentation created
a Mardi Gras style Coronation Ball at the
old Curtis Hixon Convention Center in the Fall of 1965.
Since that year, fourty-one Kings and Queens
have been crowned and lead our Gala events...
a glittering part of the Tampa Bay Social Scene.
In 1992, an Inter-Krewe Council was established
to assist in the yearly scheduling of activities in the
Bay area including Hillsborough,Pasco,
Pinellas, and Manatee counties.
The Krewe is an active participant with the
Inter-Krewe Council.
A dozen parades are held in the area each Spring,
and many of the Krewes support these many activities.
The "Krewe" heritage is a blend of the
traditions of the original "Ye Mystic Krewe
of Gasparilla" (established in 1904),
the Latin influences, a bit of New Orleans
and Margi Gras, and local traditions.
The Krewe of Venus annually hosts a calendar of events such as
The Royal Coronation Ball, President's Party,
King's and Queen's individually hosted parties,
Gasparilla Parade, Ybor City Night Parade, Chasco Parade,
Royal Yacht Invasion, Children's Christmas Parade,
King's Guard Christmas Brunch, King's Guard Golf and Derby Party,
Arms of Venus Spring Garden Party,
and the memorable Debutante Presentation Ball.
The Krewe is very "Family" oriented and
provides an opportunity for children and grandchildren
to participate in many activities during the year.
The membersip of the Krewe of Venus, Inc. is organized
with a Board of Directors which meets monthly.
The Krewe has an annual meeting each September to
elect Directors and review and discuss the upcoming year's activities.
Directors assign members as committee Chairpersons to assist
the Krewe in its many annual activities.
Each committee has several members assigned to assist
the Chairperson in completing plans for the activities,
such as the Coronation Ball or Parades.
The King's Guard is the men's group organized to assist
and protect the Royal Court, assist in area Parades and
support all Krewe events. The King's Guard hosts a Christmas Brunch
which supports local area Children's Homes or Hospitals
with toys and gifts. The King's Guard has a standard uniform
which is worn for all Parades and special Krewe functions.
The King's Guard is under the Krewe of Venus and reports directly to it, but has its own
Captain and committees for its functions.
The Arms of Venus is the women's group organized to
create and facilitate the Debutante program each year. The Arms of Venus
is under the Krewe of Venus and reports directly to it but, has its own Captain and committees
to organize its functions. The Arms of Venus has its own costumes for
all functions and parades, but are more individual in their appearance and
in keeping with the Krewe colors of purple and gold.
Each year the Krewe of Venus presents the Lucille Cochran Award
to an outstanding Krewe member that has served the organization
with his or her time, support and dedication.
Past award winners:
Jane Lane (1998)
Doug and Cecilia Vance (1999)
Les and Phyllis Chisholm (2000)
Bernell and Jean Gardner (2001)
Howard and Edna Hill (2002)
Frank and Lee Schmoll (2003)
Roy Wilcox (2004)
Trudy Carey (2005)
Zoila Urquiaga (2006)
Jeanne M. Kill (2007)
As a family oriented Krewe, one of our goals is to
supplement our many traditions established over the
past forty years to reflect the social needs and
growth for the next forty years.
If you would like additional information on The Krewe of Venus:
membership, history, traditions or questions,
please contact our office during normal business hours.
For directions to Krewe of Venus offices
Click map to:
9000 N. Florida Ave.
Suite 'C'
Tampa, Florida 33604
"MAP"
1.813.289.9310 (Tel)
1.813.289.9302 (Fax)
