One of the primary charitable organizations that we have adopted, The Good Samaritan Mission, was featured today in the Tampa Bay Times.  Check out the story here:  http://bit.ly/L318ss

Thanks to Ken Cona for seeing this!

There wasn’t much that was going to keep Bradenton’s 50,000+ people from celebrating their heritage.  They started on Thursday, jockeying for a good view and setting up tents and chairs as if there was a Black Friday sale on the horizon.  And even when it turned out to be black rain clouds on the horizon, they still remained–generations of ‘em–clamoring for beads and cheering on the parade that was created especially for them in the spirit of their favorite conquistador, Hernando DeSoto.  How can you say NO to these people?  It’s hard to find such a sense of community this large.  Next to Gasparilla, Bradenton takes the award for community involvement.  You could feel the electricity.  I think many of us just wish we had brought more beads.  LOL

The Directors have already sent out the ‘thank you’ email, and it should be clear to everyone that this is the most awesome krewe.  We’ve mastered our duties and it’s as simple as this – we know how to have fun together–rain or shine.  We also found out (for the most part) we could live with each other, too!

Our weekend on Anna Maria Island was also flawless and highlighted by Lynda (“The Belle of the Boil”) Coyle’s  Crab and Shrimp Seafood Boil (featuring Dan grilling steaks) Friday night.  Christie and Stuart hosted our traditional (and delicious) Saturday Morning brunch where we found out that–even though he tried to hide it–Stuart really DID have the biggest unit.

We could talk about sunburn, but we’ll just say that everyone enjoyed a few relaxing days on the beach with some of the coolest friends anyone could ask for!  Thanks EVERYBODY!

We’re currently rounding up pictures to post, but for now you can see some really great ones (including our cover shot) in Steve Owen’s Facebook album here.

We were also part of a story Bay News 9 did on the event.   Hopefully this link is now working correctly.  Enjoy!

The Bay News 9 Story:  http://bit.ly/KtnOBJ

Direct link to the Video: http://bit.ly/KtnQcP

Teak is the proud winner of our first-ever “Photo of the Parade!” When it comes to St. Patrick’s Day, you just don’t get any better than this! You win absolutely nothing, but WHAT a great time!!!

The road definitely rose up to meet us as a record crowd jammed Ybor for a great night of fun at the Rough Riders’ St. Patty’s Day Parade.  Since the parade actually fell on the same day as the holiday, we knew we were going to be in for some fun and we HAD it–as only we can.  You all did a great job with the bling this year, and as our cover shot shows, Simon definitely found his “Irish.”   For those who made the after-party at Splitsville, you discovered Security Dan’s patented dance move–which was only on display for limited time.  :-)  Great food and good times were had by all!

The usual thanks to everyone who worked so hard to make this parade another winner… you know who you are.  Now on to the pictures!  We’re only posting the cover shot here, because we’re consolidating all the pics into one Picasa web album link (below)…so you get some of Ken’s, Avril’s, Kenny C’s, and more…all in one place.  We’ll be adding even more over the next week, so check back often (HINT…ERIKA….HINT!!!)  Anyway, enjoy, and we’ll see you in Bradenton!!!

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE ST. PATTY’S DAY PICTURES!

Some “Real Men of Genius” requested the words to this song we play at the parades.  It didn’t take long to find them on the net… so here you go!

MR. PARADE FLOAT DRIVER

Bud Light Presents – Real Men of Genius
(real men of genius)
Today we salute you, Mr. Parade Float Driver
(Mr. Parade Float Driver)
Real men don’t drive shiny sports cars.
Real men drive old school bus chassis covered in papier machet, pansies
and puppets.
(slow and easy)
Why? Chicks dig floats!
Just ask the Carson County Pork Queen waving from the back end.
(lovely pork queen)
You drive with sweaty palms.
One wrong move from you and Paul Tilley’s Olde Tyme Barbershop Quartet
is history
(Oooohhhhhhh!)
So crack open an ice cold Bud Light, you thoroughbred of the thoroughfare.
When it comes to parades, you really float our boat.
(Mr. Parade Float Driver)

How can you not love the 37th Annual Sant’ Yago’s Knight Parade–when the temperature was perfect, the crowd was lively, and it was followed by the Krash Party?  We’d call that a Perfect Knight!  Although it’s one of our shortest parades, it has definitely grown to be one of the most fun over the past 18 years that the Krewe of Pair O’ Dice has participated in it.  Ybor City just gives the parade a whole different feel–like we’re in New Orleans.  And with the official Mardi Gras at hand, we can be proud that Tampa Bay can still throw a heck of a party right here!

Of course, the “real” party was at the Italian Club for the official Knight Parade after-party.  This year’s Krash Party was another huge hit, confirming once again that Krewe’s Kare and the Inter-krewe Council have their finger on the pulse of Tampa Bay’s parade krewe community.   Thanks to everyone who came out, it was all for a great cause.  Watch for additional updates and photos at the Krewes Kare website: http://www.kreweskare.org.

Pictures are starting to role in….Erika??  In the meantime, here’s some from the Web God.  See you for the Rough Rider’s St. Patty’s Day Parade March 17th!

See Parade Schedule

Sometimes the weather gods smile down upon us, and the 2012 Gasparilla Day Parade was one of those times.  Armed with great drinks (thanks Danny & Tony!), great food (thanks entertainment committee!), great people (thanks everybody!), and the most awesome float in town, the Krewe of Pair O’ Dice rocked the day–as we always do so well!   Thanks for being part of something really special.  The smiles on the faces of the crowd are proof that for one afternoon we can all come together as a community and have some fun.  There’s nothing like it!  Here’s some teaser pics and a link to all the pics online.  Now’s the time to get ready for the Sant’ Yago Knight Parade and Krash Party.  Don’t forget to order your wristbands early!!

Here’s the link to all the pictures so far from Ken

Check Facebook for pictures from Erika and Steve Owen
H

Big thanks to Erika who shocked us by having these in so early that we completely missed them!  Anyway…here they are!!  Next time take more!  No!  Don’t!  LOL

What a way to end our year and say hello to the holiday season!  The krewe of Pair O’ Dice shined again at New Port Richey’s holiday parade Saturday night.  There were about 50,000 parade goers and plenty of floats to keep them happy!  Thanks to everyone–including the kids–who came out for all the fun.   Watch for Yvonne’s official recap (after she wakes up from shopping all night…lol).  In the meantime, enjoy these pictures!  Thanks to Ken Donofrio & Steve Owen for taking the great pics.

Click Here for: Ken’s Pictures 

Steve’s Pictures (Coming Soon)

Instead of a bowling event to raise money to feed needy families this Thanksgiving, we threw a Halloween party at the historic Italian Club!  We’re bringing together all the prize winners, thank yous and pictures for your enjoyment, so watch this space for the full update coming soon!