HISTORY

In 1959 The Columbus Association of Tampa, Inc., a not-for-profit organization, was formed to commemorate the national Columbus Day holiday. A statue honoring Christopher Columbus was originally dedicated on October 12, 1959 at its current location in Bayshore Lineal Park at the corner of Bayshore Boulevard and Platt Street in Tampa. The Association’s official Columbus Day celebration was held annually for forty seven years at the site of the Columbus statue, and in 2007 the celebration was held at Joe Chillura Courthouse Square in downtown Tampa.

As an expansion of its mission to celebrate the accomplishments of Christopher Columbus, and the person who made his mission financially possible…Queen Isabella of Spain, the Association started the Queen Isabella Coronation to coincide with the annual Columbus Day celebration. Every year a young lady, selected by random drawing, is crowned “Queen Isabella” at the Coronation Ball and represents the organization at civic and social events for a one-year term.

In the 1990s, the Association changed its name to the Columbus Celebration of Tampa, Inc. and formed The Krewe of Columbus to participate in parades, civic events and local charities. Members of the Krewe are costumed in authentic 15th Century Renaissance attire that is representative of those worn at the time of Columbus's voyages.

The Krewe of Columbus Historian Committee was established on June 5, 2007 to preserve and record past, current and future resources and events so all members can reflect on the excitement of what is…

The Krewe of Columbus.