All-female krewe celebrates 25 years

One week before any beads are flying on Bayshore Boulevard, the Sirens Gasparilla Krewe is putting the final touches on their float. 

"We've got everybody out here with us trying to prep, clean the float, get her organized and ready for the big parades," says Amanda Johnson, the krewe's director of floats. 

Who are the Sirens Gasparilla Krewe?

The backstory:

Founded in 2000, the all-female group is one of over 70 krewes in the area. 

"As a child, I went to all the parades, and I think a lot of people dream of one day wanting to be in a big parade. And so, we joined a krewe, and we were with the krewe a little while, my sister, some friends, and I. Then we thought, "You know what? We could do this!"," recalls founding member, Jill Flanigan. 

On top of prepping the float, the krewe recently shopped for beads and costumes together. But to the 50 women in the Sirens Krewe, it's not all about the parades. They say it's a sisterhood. 

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"The women are amazing. It's a bunch of empowered, intelligent, successful women that just are there to support each other. And one of the big aspects of it is the charity work," says new member, Lisa Conti. 

Krewe works to help the lives of underprivileged kids

What they're saying:

Every year, the Sirens gather donated goods for Global Girls Initiative. During the holidays, they work with Sincerely Santa Tampa, collecting toys for underprivileged kids.

Throughout the year, the Sirens stay close at socials and balls, but everyone looks forward to Gasparilla. 

"After the holidays, you can feel it. And when January first hits, it's like, it's parade month!" says founding member, Kathi Hitchman. 

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The Sirens Krewe participates in five Tampa Bay parades every year, including the Gasparilla Children's Parade. 

If you're interested in joining the Sirens, they accept new member applications during the month of April

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