Feb. 11, 2010
City Commissioners Rick Brown and Joanne Krebs throw beaded necklaces to attendees of the 2009 Mardi Gras festival. This year's parade will run down Oviedo Boulevard and also offer live entertianment. There will also be a ball and crowning of royals.
Archive photo by Isaac Babcock — The Voice
By Kristy Vickery
Guest Reporter
Royal kings and queens, 30-foot floats, Mardi Gras masks and hats are all making their way into Seminole County, as Oviedo and Winter Springs join hands to partner with the Krewe of Leaders to recognize and celebrate those who give back to their community.
"We rank these leaders by their volunteerism, their leadership skills and their economic value they have brought to the respective communities," Krewe of Leader's Director Mary Alice Wilder said.
The Krewe of Leaders, a community social club that promotes volunteerism, is honoring these leaders with a weekend of events to celebrate and raise money for the Oviedo Winter Springs Regional Chamber of Commerce scholarship fund.
The weekend will kick off with a luncheon where the 2010 Krewe of Leaders will be announced.
Wilder said the people who vote on the Krewe of Leaders don't know whom they are voting for — votes will be based strictly on their skills and involvement with the community.
"It is based on a blind-application process," she said.
The celebration will continue with several more events throughout the weekend, such as the Crowning of the King and Queen, a Children's Mardi Gras Parade, a Gala Ball and the Twin Cities Mardi Gras Finale Night Parade on Saturday, Feb. 27.
Although the goal is to promote leadership in the community, the event will also help stimulate local businesses in the area, as well as businesses located inside the Oviedo Marketplace mall. Many merchants are thrilled by the idea.
"We are trying to get as many events as possible moved to the Oviedo Marketplace mall," Krewe of Leaders member and Merchants Association Board member Sally Scarp said. "We really want to let the community know that we are a neighborhood family mall."
Mall Merchants Association president Jim Pridemore said he is also pleased that they are reaching out to the community with events like these.
"Our goal is drive more families there (Oviedo Marketplace) and let them see these shops that are coming in, and just make it a nice place to come and spend some time with the family," Pridemore said. "That's the whole Merchant Association's goal right now — community outreach."
He also said many people in the community are excited about the idea that Oviedo and Winter Springs are working together.
"It's a regional event," Wilder said. "We are trying to touch base with each city."
Announcement of new Krewe of Leaders
The Oviedo Winter Springs Regional Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a luncheon to announce the new Krewe of Leaders from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18 at the Tuscawilla Country Club. Cost is $15 for Chamber members and $20 for guests.
Crowning of the King and Queen
Meet your community leaders and the Royal Court and see the crowning of the 2010 King and Queen of Mardi Gras presented by the Krewe of Leaders Royal Court at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 19 at the Oviedo Marketplace food court.
Children's Mardi Gras Parade
Bring the family to the first Children's Mardi Gras Parade on Saturday, Feb. 20, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Oviedo Marketplace. Prizes will be awarded to kids who make the best box floats, Mardi Gras funnel hats and Mardi Gras masks. Line up at the Bed Bath & Beyond entrance at 11 a.m. The parade starts at noon toward Macy's.
Gala Ball
The Krewe of Leaders presents its 2010 Regional Mardi Gras Ball at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, at Deer Run Country Club. The event will celebrate community leaders with entertainment, hors d'oeuvres and a late-night meal. Cash bar, black tie preferred, coat and tie required. Proceeds go toward scholarship fund for area students. Cost is $35 single members, $60 a couple; single non-members $45, $80 a couple.
Twin Cities Mardi Gras Finale Night Parade
Thirty-foot floats make their way down Oviedo Boulevard on Saturday, Feb. 27. The entertainment is from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. and includes live music, bead-throwing and area vendors to make this street party fun for all. For more information on any of these Krewe of Leaders events visit www.kreweofleaders.com or contact Mary Alice Wider at 407-484-5461.
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