Rules of play

1. PUBLIC IMAGE – Please remember that we are on display to the public, and everything we do or say is a reflection of the Krewe, so please make sure you act and speak always with this in mind. The Krewe Board of Directors reserves the right to determine what constitutes “behavior unbecoming a Krewe Member” or behavior or actions that may endanger the Krewe, its Members, or the general public. Directors have the sole right to take any action they deem necessary, which may include issuing warnings and/or revoking membership without any refund of dues.
2. FLOAT – Our float is truly a beauteous thing, and we’re all very proud to be aboard it, so let’s do a few things to make sure it gets set up properly before parades and that it stays looking good and we are safe through all the parades:

  • Do NOT arrive at the float extra early thinking that you’ll get the best spot on it. NO ONE will be allowed to board the float until a member of The Security Team or a Krewe Director gives you the “okay.” This means you MAY NOT board even to get a drink or drop your bead bag. You and your bead bags prevent the float and the sound system from being set up in a timely manner.
  • NOTHING is allowed on the gangplank of the riverboat…this includes bead bags, drinks, hats… A N Y T H I N G. If it’s found on the gangplank, a Director or member of the Security Team will toss it, regardless of what it is.
  • Please try to stash your bead bag(s) somewhere out of full view of the crowds, it’s a sloppy look to see bags strewn all over and it’s dangerous! All bead bags must be black and cannot be stored in the storage room between parades. No huge suitcases. No bags larger than 24″ in length and 18″ in width. Please do not move bead bags that are placed by another Krewe Member. If they got to that spot first – too bad – it’s their spot now.
  • Before the parade actually starts, please remove your drinks, food, etc. from the float or at least place them in a drink holder upstairs or in a secure spot downstairs…the spillage is gross and garbage all over the float looks really tacky.
  • If you go in and out of the small storage room on the float, please turn the light off so the mess in there isn’t visible to the crowd, or at least close the door.
  • When the float is moving, you may not jump on and off the float. This is very dangerous and the Security Team will be monitoring this closely.
  • After each parade, please help by picking up some trash. There are built-in garbage bins on both upper and lower decks, so please use them. Remember…IT’S YOUR FLOAT!

 
3. FLOAT RIDERS – For the Gasparilla Day and Sant’ Yago Knight Parades, may occasionally be chosen randomly, divided between the upper and lower decks. This is to alleviate excess stress on the float drive shaft. Each rider will be given a bracelet denoting upper or lower deck and the Security Team will strictly enforce this. Anyone with a permanent injury needing to ride the float should inform a Director far in advance of these two parades so that special arrangements can be made for you.
4. THE FLOAT BATHROOM – It’s a wonderful thing to have our own bathroom on the float and we all appreciate it…BUT…there are a couple of things to keep in mind:FIRST: DO NOT THROW BEER CANS OR ANY OTHER FOREIGN OBJECTS INTO THE LATRINE! It is extremely costly to get these items removed and could end up prohibiting us from having a working bathroom if the tank cannot be easily cleaned.
SECOND: Hey guys…aim better toward your own side of the bathroom…the urinal is yours and all yours so use it…please leave the seating area clean and dry for the women.
Also, the bathroom is for Krewe of Pair O’ Dice Members!Allowing others to use it makes the lines longer for us (youdo not want to anger a Saloon Girl, trust us), and makes it much harder to keep the bathroom clean.

  • FIRST: DO NOT THROW BEER CANS OR ANY OTHER FOREIGN OBJECTS INTO THE LATRINE! It is extremely costly to get these items removed and could end up prohibiting us from having a working bathroom if the tank cannot be easily cleaned.
  • SECOND: Hey guys…aim better toward your own side of the bathroom…the urinal is yours and all yours so use it…please leave the seating area clean and dry for the women.
  • Also, the bathroom is for Krewe of Pair O’ Dice Members! Allowing others to use it makes the lines longer for us (you do not want to anger a Saloon Girl, trust us), and makes it much harder to keep the bathroom clean.
  • The exception to the rule: If you’re asked by a personal friend or family member to use the bathroom, please escort them, however, if it’s just some stranger (gorgeous blonde, brunette, or redhead, it makes no difference) asking, kindly explain, “sorry, no dice.”
5. LOOK ALIVE! Whether you’re on the upper deck of the float or walking in the street, have fun and show it off!  We don’t want a Krewe of boring old deadbeats.  Come on kids,  you joined to havefun…so shake that a–, let them see what you got!

6. DRINKING – Please do so to your personal tastes but no one likes an obnoxious drunk. Fat (or thin), drunk & stupid is no way to go through life (or even a parade). Danny & any other Bartender reserves the right to limit your consumption privilege so don’t give them grief. The Bar WILL NOT open until it is completely set up and The Security Team or a Director has given the “okay” for people to board the float. You MAY NOT go behind the bar and make your own drink. The bar will close immediately at the end of the parade. Once again, you MAY NOT ask Danny or go behind the bar to make “just one more for the road.” Never bring anything in a glass container. Our Bartenders have a fully-stocked premium bar on the upper deck of the float and plenty of plastic cups for your drinks. The cooler downstairs is stocked with water. BARFLIES: Please don’t hang at the bar through an entire parade. We built that bar for everyone and everyone’s dues pay for the booze. Besides, when you hang at the bar, you’re in the way of people trying to pass by, so please be considerate to your fellow members and get your drink and move on. DRINKS FOR YOUR FRIENDS: If you have a friend in another krewe, we welcome them to enjoy a drink with you; however, please go upstairs and get the drink yourself or escort your friend.  Our Bartenders have no way of knowing who your friend is and reserve the right to refuse to serve anyone or ask for identification for proof of age. Also, please don’t forget to tip our Bartenders for their great service…and either tip them for your friend’s drink or give the tip yourself. They shouldn’t suffer just because we’re trying to keep as few people in front of the bar as possible. Thanks!
7. TAKE YOUR STUFF – Due to the fact that Gary, our driver, must quickly leave with the float at the end of most parades, please keep track of and gather your personal belongings and take them with you (yes, even your husbands). Members have lost parts of costumes and bead stash, etc. from leaving their stuff behind. Beads may NOT be left behind and stored in the float storage room between parades.
8.  GUESTS – Guests are allowed in all our parades. Guest fees will be noted in an email prior to each parade and all guests must sign a waiver of liability prior to participating.
9. CHILDREN – Your children and 1 friend per child are allowed in the Gasparilla Children’s and NPR Christmas Parades. Please make sure you dress them in attire fitting for the Krewe and/or particular parade (black, white & red is preferred), and watch them at all times…a kid is a terrible thing to waste. All children under age 11 MUST ride aboard the upper deck with at least 1 adult per 2 children.
10. COSTUMES – All Krewe Members and guests are required to be in the proper costumes for each parade. If you have any question as to what type of costume you are to be wearing, or if a particular costume is acceptable, please contact Chrisanne Schock. She has all the info you need for your appropriate “Krewe wear.” If you come to any parade out of proper costume, you’ll be asked to “sit out” of that parade (then we’ll all point and laugh at you and make funny faces) :Þ

11. MONITORING – Everyone should help our driver Gary, our Security Team, the police, and parade officials by asking people to “step back” if they wander in front of the float. If necessary, move them out of the way yourself. It would definitely ruin a good time if we ran someone over…plus, we’d lose our insurance. Yikes!