Now entering its twenty-fourth year, the Krewe of Zingaro, which means “Gypsy” in Italian, is known as one of the most active, fun, and charitable Krewes in the Tampa Bay area. The Krewe is easily identified by the purple gypsy wagon we affectionately call “Barney”, a brightly lighted “Z”, and the colorfully dressed band of gypsies.

The Krewe traces its heritage all the way back to the days of Jose Gaspar himself.  As the story has been told and passed down through generations, Gaspar entrusted the location of pirate fortune to a secret band of gypsies known as Zingaro. To this day, the Krewe of Zingaro refuses to surrender the location of the treasures.  However, each year to celebrate Gaspar’s capture of the City of Tampa, the Krewe of Zingaro returns to that secret location and gathers a portion of Gaspar’s beads and coins to share with the citizens of Tampa.

During the rest of the year, the Krewe members continue serving the community participating in various events and supporting organizations like Paint Your Heart Out Tampa, Eckerd Youth Alternatives, Big Brothers and Sisters, Blue Star Mothers, Humane Society  just to name a few. We have also hosted an Uncork the Cure event for 10 years to benefit the Children’s Cancer Research Group raising almost $400, 000 in total gifts to benefit Dr. Tebbi and his efforts to cure cancer in children.

The Krewe consists of singles and couples from throughout the Tampa Bay area following the tradition of the original band of gypsies as a service and social organization open to anyone with a little merriment in their soul and humanity in their heart. Every year a Monarch is chosen based on service to the community and Krewe. This year’s Monarch is Joanne Rohlfson.

Our 2023-2024 Board of Directors:

President - Bill Nipper

Vice President - Andre Brown

Secretary - Cheryl Danes

Treasurer - Paul Stiles

Community Service Coordinator - Jay Feliciani

Float Coordinator - James Raulerson

Past-President - Felicia Migone