The 'shoe' fits Krewe of the Silver Slipper
BY FRANKLIN HAYES Gulf Breeze News franklin@gulfbreezenews.com

Those revelers who attended last year's Mardi Gras parade on Pensacola Beach are sure to remember the decorously dressed women riding a giant glimmering slipper. The mysterious women dressed in formal evening gowns, sequined masks and flowing wigs participated in the 2006 beach parade on a creative float that was a direct fabrication of the krewe's name, the Krewe of the Silver Slipper.

"The parades are the most fun you can legally have," said founding member Mary Lou Irizarry. "Being in the parade is like being a rock star. It's a lot of fun to see the smiles on everyone's faces."

Irizarry said her krewemates will trade in their formal evening attire for a more jazzy, 1920's flapper look for this year's parades. In 2007, revelers can see the Slippers in the Milton parade Feb. 10, the Navarre Beach parade Feb. 17 and the Pensacola Beach parade Feb. 18.

Similar to other krewes, the Slippers vote yearly for a voluntary queen and were excited to learn that the Pensacola Beach parade entrance fee was reduced from $600 to $100 for 2007.

"It's very exciting," Irizarry said. "That's actually allowing us to participate in another parade this year."

Submitted Photo Front row from left: Tina Berry, Mary Lou Irizarry, Jennifer Biles, and Sandra VerCrouse. Middle Row: Angeli Faith, Kim Cato, Beth Siyufy, Candi Wages, and Kristi Haynes. Back Row:Angi Brown, Wendy Ritz, and Margaret Porter.

The group, who claim to be the first all female Krewe of Santa Rosa County, formed in late 2005 and its members are looking forward to their second season of bead collecting and moon pie tossing. Irizarry explained that the 20-member krewe was formed as a way to raise money for charities and to have fun, anonymously.

On Jan. 6 the Slippers held their first fundraiser at a farm in Milton. The event was billed as "A Bull Riding Spectacular," featuring professional bull riders from several states including Mississippi and Louisiana.

In anticipation of the miniature rodeo, Slippers member and Santa Rosa County Chamber of Commerce Director Donna Tucker said, "I don't know how a Mardi Gras krewe got wrapped up with a bull ride, but it should be a lot of fun."

Submitted Photo Kristi Haynes poses with an unknown member of the Krewe of Jesters at the 2006 Pensacola Beach Mardi Gras parade.

In addition to paying some of the krewe's parade entrance fees, the event was also designed to promote the American Cancer Society and Take Stock in Children. Irizarry said the choice for their benefactor charities was obvious, as many of the krewe's members are mothers.

"We feel very strongly about helping children," she said. "Several of our members have been affected by cancer. I have a son who has a brain tumor. The cause is very dear to our hearts."

For more information about the Krewe of the Silver Slippers, contact Donna Tucker at the Santa Rosa County Chamber of Commerce by calling 850-623-2339.