The Krewe of Blues Pin & Bead Festival began in January 2011 as a fund raiser selling bar-b-que plates at Hub Stacey’s.
As the first krewe festival of the Mardi Gras season, the event provides an opportunity for the krewes to come together, not only to trade pins and beads, but to raise money for the charities they support. The event has evolved into a charity diaper drive for Gulf Coast Kids House Pensacola and Santa Rosa Kids House Milton.
The event also holds the annual Krewe Wars event where krewes are awarded points from several events throughout the day including krewe tent decoration, krewe pins and beads, krewe war games and krewe diaper donations. The winning krewe is awarded the Krewe Wars Championship Trophy.
The flagship event of the Krewe of Blues charitable efforts is the Pin and Bead Festival. This festival supports the work of the Gulf Coast Children’s homes by providing over 50,000 diapers each year. This year, the Krewe of Blues will host their 12th Annual Pin & Bead Festival on January 15, 2023 in Pensacola’s Historical Seville Square.
The KOB Pin & Bead Festival Krewe Wars Champion competition consists of several events but not limited to: booth displays and decorations, pin and bead judging, diaper drive, Krewe participation and motivation, monies raised for select charity, AND Krewe Wars Games.
Please note that any diapers donated on behalf of a Krewe will be given credit toward the Krewe Wars Champion Trophy. Diaper pins will be given to individuals donating a case of diapers, while supplies last.
Krewe awards include:
The KOB Pin & Bead Festival Krewe Wars Champion Trophy, passed from year to year & magnetic door sign for Krewe Wars Champion for Parade Float Tow Vehicle.
Plaques will be presented for:
- Queen Joliet Award
- King Elwood Award
- Best Pin
- Best Bead
- Best Booth
- Most Diapers
All of our sponsors worked with us to support this effort. We all really appreciate their support of this good work. Everyone worked hard, enjoyed the music, the barbeque and being outside on a very cold and windy day.
