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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. |