Groups Hosting Hurricane Party

By ANGELA DELGADO The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 10, 2007

Nothing says party like an impending hurricane season.

The Second Annual World's Largest Hurricane Party is hitting Hoopers Hollow, behind the Egypt Temple Shrine at 4050 Dana Shores Drive, on Saturday, almost three weeks before the season begins June 1.

Although the party, which goes from 1 to 8 p.m., is sure to be a good time, there is a cause behind all the celebration: hurricane fundraising.

The party was the creation of Tampa Bay Krewes Kare, a nonprofit volunteer organization founded in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast. The group was formed by 56 parade krewes, which take part in charity work as well as parades for Gasparilla and St. Patrick's Day, to provide early hurricane relief to areas not reached by larger relief agencies.

While trying to aid hurricane victims in 2005, the krewes joined Angel Flight Southeast in an effort to transport needed items. Since then, the two have been a team and they are sponsoring the bash.

For $20 in advance, and $25 the day of the event, those attending get food, soda, water and beer plus live music by Stones Throw, Moneypenny and The Third Band. Carnival games are $1 each and there's a cash bar hosted by the Egypt Temple Shriners.

Last year's event was organized in five weeks, attracted approximately 530 people and raised $15,000 for the cause. But this year the Krewe had 12 months to prepare, so organizers are hoping for a bigger turnout, said Yvonne Painton, president of Krewes Kare.

"Hurricanes are a big deal to us right here and although our inception had to do with Louisiana and Mississippi, it could be" us, she said. "The party is all about fun and all about being prepared for hurricane season. We don't want you to think we're making fun of hurricanes, but sometimes you've got to lighten up a little bit to get people to pay attention."

Reporter Angela Delgado can be reached at (813) 865-1501 or adelgado@tampatrib.com.