Member FAQ
Events, beads, volunteer hours, parades, and krewe gear.For members
Frequently Asked Questions
Events, beads, volunteer hours, parades, and krewe gear.
Register for all Events
Please register for all upcoming events. This is very important so that we have an idea of how many are attending.
To register:
- Make sure you are logged in at Member Login.
- Open Upcoming Events, or in the Member Hub open Events & RSVPs.
- Register for the event. You will receive an email confirmation.
Beads
Where to purchase beads
You can go to a local bead store. Advantages: you can see and touch the beads, you know what you are getting. Disadvantages: they are more expensive than some of the online sites but keep in mind: no shipping costs.
Buccaneer Beads
www.buccaneerbeads.net
813-664-8571
3808 East Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd, Tampa FL 33610
South Tampa Trading Co.
This store does not appear to have a website but it is on Facebook.
813-831-7882
1916 S Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa FL 33629
Online / websites
- Mardi Gras Beads & More: Custom Mardi Gras Beads, Wholesale Mardi Gras Beads and Mardi Gras Beads for Every Holiday from Beads by the Dozen, New Orleans largest Mardi Gras Bead Store.
- Toomey's Mardi Gras
- Mardi Gras Beads & Light Up Novelties | FlashingBlinkyLights
How many beads will I need?
This is really an individual answer. You will need more for Gasparilla day as this is the longest parade. Maybe a case for this one: 60 dozen of the standard 33' beads, 30–40 dozen for the other parades. The number is dependent upon your throwing style: do you try to throw constantly? Also, if you get more expensive beads, you won't want to throw indiscriminately.
Charities
How many volunteer hours are required
12 volunteer hours are required per member or $12 per hour in lieu of actual volunteering. Volunteer hours can also consist of in-kind donations: for every $12 worth of donation, you can log one volunteer hour.
Ways to earn volunteer hours
You will have the opportunity to volunteer at a Krewe of Shamrock organized event or other sponsored events. Details will be on the Krewe of Shamrock website, www.kreweofshamrock.com (Service & Charity and Upcoming Events), or the Facebook page.
- Float Work Day: Krewe members are encouraged to volunteer to clean the float after a parade. This is usually scheduled on the Sunday after the parade. Cleaning supplies are on the float and a group of people is required for this.
- Parade Security (will receive double hours if an alcohol parade)
- In kind donation of $12 per hour (liquor, raffle items, cash, etc.)
How to record volunteer hours
Please keep in mind, even if you have all 12 hours completed, it is good to still keep track of all additional hours going forward.
Log hours only in the Member Hub. The season runs June through May. A host or an officer confirms them before they count.
- Log in.
- Open Member desk.
- Log volunteer hours.
Signing up as a volunteer for an event logs pending hours when a volunteer slot is open. If you already have hours from earlier this season, enter them once as season hours on file. New hours stay in the Hub.
What charities do we support? This does change year to year.
- No More Umbrellas
- New Life Warehouse
- CDC Tampa
See Service & Charity for this season's notes. The list does change year to year.
Communication
Once your membership has been approved
Upon membership approval, you will consistently/regularly receive email and text notifications for all required meetings, volunteer opportunities, Calendar of Events, etc. Please read these!
Merchandise Ordering
Go to the Krewe website www.kreweofshamrock.com.
Log in, then open Shop (the page the previous site called Store). See additional details below.
Shirt ordering
All shirts are ordered from our vendor partners. We are working to have pictures of all the available shirts on our site, but they will show a price of $0.00. This indicates the item is ordered directly from the vendor.
There are many style options and colors on these sites, please check them out. Tank tops, jackets, etc.
Go to the vendor's sites by following the links below.
- https://kreweofshamrock2025.itemorder.com/shop/home/
- https://studio19shop.com/shop/ols/categories/krewe-of-shamrock
Items ordered from these sites are shipped directly to you. All orders will be processed weekly and will be completed 2–3 weeks after the order has been processed.
Pins and other items
These items are posted in the Shop with prices listed. These items the merchandise committee will deliver to General Meetings or other krewe events. If alternative arrangements are needed, please reach out to the merchandise committee to discuss. THESE ARE NOT SHIPPED.
Parades
Parades we currently participate in. Please see the website to confirm.
Please see the Parades page to confirm dates for the current season.
- Santa Parade: normally 1st Saturday of December
- Gasparilla Children's Parade: typically third Saturday of January
- Gasparilla Parade: typically last Saturday of January
- Krewe of Sant' Yago Illuminated Knight Parade: Sat, mid February
- St Patrick's Day Parade: Saturday mid-March
What happens if it rains
Dress accordingly. We will be participating unless the parade is cancelled.
Attire for Parades
What to wear
Everyone must wear kilts unless you are on security detail. You can wear a Krewe shirt with the kilt if you want or see below. Keep in mind, we are a Celtic Krewe, not a pirate one. No pirate hats, etc. Also, do not wear anything with any offensive or political statements: you are representing the whole Krewe.
Women
- Kilt is required for all parades.
- Christmas/festive top for the Santa parade.
- For Gasparilla or Knight parade, google renaissance, pirate or Celtic tops: there are tons of options on Amazon. You can also pair with a corset.
- St. Patrick's Parade: wear green, be festive or wear your Celtic attire.
- Many women wear tights or stockings.
- Shoes: wear comfortable foot attire. Most wear some kind of walking boot.
- Cold weather: layer! Get thermal tights, long underwear, etc. Just be comfortable.
- A sporran or fanny pack is a good idea to carry your cell phone, keys, etc.
Men
- Kilt is required for all parades.
- Christmas/festive shirt for the Santa parade.
- For Gasparilla or Knight parade, google ghillie, renaissance or Celtic shirt. You can also wear a Krewe T-shirt.
- St. Patrick's Parade: wear green, be festive or wear your Celtic attire.
- Feet: kilt hose (socks) and a pair of comfortable shoes: many wear some kind of walking boot.
- Cold weather: layer! Get thermal tights, long underwear, etc. Just be comfortable.
- A sporran or fanny pack is a good idea to carry your cell phone, keys, etc.
- An Irish beret or tartan wrap are fun for head attire.
Where to purchase
Guests, conduct, and security
Can I bring guests
Generally, guests can be invited, for a fee, to non-alcohol events only. The president is allowed guests at all parades.
You are 100% responsible for your guests. All guests are to wear visible wristbands and the sponsor is to be present.
Behavior
You are representing the Krewe of Shamrock! Indecent/vulgar behavior or drunkenness is not tolerated.
No smoking on the float: this includes vapes.
Nametags
The wearing of nametags is strongly encouraged.
Security
If you are working security for a parade, you will be provided with a vest. There will be a briefing before each parade with instructions. Anyone on security detail cannot drink alcohol while working. If they are seen drinking, the whole Krewe may be prohibited from participating in parades in the future.
New Member Orientation
What new Krewe of Shamrock members must knowNew to the Krewe - or want a refresher? This short video walks through what every member should know: dues, the waiver, parade day, and how the season works.
Pair it with Documents: bylaws, waiver language, Code of Conduct, and parade guides. Practical answers (events, beads, hours, attire, and merchandise) are in the Member FAQ.
Documents
Governing documents for members and officersRead these in-Hub
Official bylaws and Code of Conduct. Members and officers can open these here. The PDF is the official original.
Parade Ready
Dues, waiver, meeting & photo release (Jun-May)Loading your status…
Volunteer hours
The Craic Cup
Kind rivalry. Real bragging rights. All for the craic.Who’s bringing the most energy this season? Show up, volunteer, and stack Clovers 🍀. They fuel your rank and unlock badges. RSVP to upcoming events right inside the Cup, and earn +25 🍀 for cheering on another IKC krewe. Season restarts every July 1 - good-natured competition only.
Raffles
Gift baskets & 50/50 for charity - create, plan, enterBuild gift-ready baskets from donated contents, track who is bringing what, and raise money for charity. Draws happen in person at events - tickets are tracked digitally; pay a volunteer at the table.
Locker Rentals
Reserve a lockerLarge lockers are $200 and small lockers are $75 for the season.
- Join the list below. Use the same email you'll use to pay on Zeffy.
- Pay for your locker size with the button above.
- Once your payment comes through, we mark you paid and give you the next open locker. If none are open yet, an officer will assign you a locker and let you know your number.
Your place in line
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Carpools
Offer a ride or ask for one🚙 Drivers offering rides
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Van Pools
Reserve a seat on a krewe vanLoading van pools…
My Krewe
Your member directory - faces first. Every member of the krewe, one card each.Loading directory…
Tap a name to open the My Krewe profile. Contact details stay private. Reach people through a krewe officer or email the Krewe.