HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-10-2011 St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Street Re-naming
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
MEDIA RELEASE
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Contact: Mikki Dobski, Communications & Special Projects, (574)235-5855, 876-1564
St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Street Re-naming
In anticipation of the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade this Saturday, March 12,
Mayor Steve Luecke, Parade Grand Marshal Joe Kernan, and members of the St.
Patrick’s Day Parade Committee joined in officially renaming Jefferson Boulevard as St.
Patrick’s Boulevard.
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This year’s parade will begin at 11:00 AM on March 12 at the intersection of
“St. Patrick’s Blvd.” (Jefferson) and Frances Street. Grand Marshal Joe Kernan, former
Mayor of South Bend, Lt. Governor and Governor of Indiana will lead the parade. He
will ride in a carriage provided by Dream Coach Carriages.
The parade will feature several new entries this year, including mini-ponies from
Reins of Life, Caledonia Kilty Pipe Band, a green train made of antique bathtubs, and the
South Bend Roller Derby Girls.
The format of the parade is also new for this year. After proceeding west on “St.
Patrick Blvd.”, the parade will turn north on Niles Street and end at Washington Street
near Seitz Park, where Fiddler’s Hearth will host the “greening” of the East Race, using
bright green dye and with assistance from the South Bend Fire Department and South
New to the parade this year is a performance area and dance
Bend Central Services.
floor along the curb on “St. Pat’s Boulevard” (Jefferson) at Howard Park.
Dance,
music, and entertainment entries to the parade will step out of the procession and offer a
1-2 minute performance before rejoining the parade. WNDU News Anchors Maureen
McFadden & Terry McFadden will be on-hand, at the performance area, announcing
parade entries as they pass and will offer color commentary on the performances.
On the day of the parade, other activities include Mass at 9:00 AM, at St.
Patrick’s Church at the corner of Taylor and Wayne Streets, hosted by the Ancient Order
of Hibernians. The Parks & Recreation Department will conduct a “Little Leprechaun”
contest for children aged 2-7 at 10:30 AM at the performance area on Jefferson Blvd.
Maureen & Terry McFadden will also offer some color commentary on the little
“jiggers.”
Immediately following the parade, St. Patrick’s Parish Center will host the annual
Family Ceili, Irish for “dance party.” Admission to the Ceili is free, and there will be
food and beverage concessions available, including corned beef and cabbage.
Official parade sponsors, this year, include the Michiana Celtic Society, Fiddler’s
Hearth, South Bend Parks & Recreation Department, DTSB, the Ancient Order of
Hibernians, and Treesh Insurance Agency.
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