The winter can be a relatively dead time for Florida beach businesses, but in 1979 a group of Pensacola Beach residents took it upon themselves to liven things up a little.
The group, the Krewe of Wrecks, brought Mardi Gras to the beach in a big way and has kept the good times rolling for more than 40 years.
The fun will continue this Sunday when The Krewe of Wrecks’ Pensacola Beach Mardi Gras Parade kicks off at 2 p.m. The event will send about 45 parade floats and two bands west along Via De Luna Drive to the Gulfside Pavilion, according to their Parade Coordinator Dawn Richardson.
This year’s parade is set to be their biggest yet, with between eight to 10 more floats than it has ever had.
The Krewe of Wrecks was founded in 1979 by Jane Waters Cooper, Frank Douglas and Larry Giesel with the goal of bringing business to Pensacola Beach during the “offseason” by providing entertainment.
The founding three members of the Krewe of Wrecks banded together to do something about the lack of activity on the island during the wintertime by establishing a Mardi Gras crew to attract people.