Founded in 1986 by Burt Johnson and Ken Leveque Jr., the Navarre Krewe of Jesters was conceived at the Navarre Orleans Restaurant at Navarre Beach, Florida. Throughout the years, the Krewe has grown in ranks to nearly 80 members and the parade, first held 2/28/1987, has grown from 10 or so walking Jesters and a few ragtag vehicles and floats to almost 60 floats and entries in the 2004 parade.

     This annual event takes place on the Saturday prior to Ash Wednesday and draws entries from several local businesses and social organizations as well as organizations from as far away as central Alabama. We are well known as a family oriented parade and many families are annual spectators, knowing that their children will enjoy a parade free from the bacchanalian escapades that inundate other parades. We are also famous for having the best throws of area parades.

     In 2006 we have plans for the biggest and best Mardi Gras season ever. Efforts are underway to build the biggest floats Navarre Beach has ever seen and long lost original Jesters are being tracked down and invited to attend the 20th Annual Navarre Beach Mardi Gras Parade & Party to be held on 2/25/2006.

     We look forward to bringing this annual event to the Gulf Coast and encourage all to either attend or participate in the parade itself. Membership applications and Parade Entry forms are available on-line in the Applications area of this website.

We hope to see you there!