Gilberts resident Debbie Sellers said she doesn’t have any Irish descendants that she knows of but it’s never been a hinderance when it comes to celebrating as St. Patrick’s Day nears.
“Everyone is Irish on a day like this and I feel we should celebrate all ethnicities because we all come from one,” Sellers said Saturday afternoon at the St. Patrick’s parade in St. Charles. “I know there is music and corned beef and green beer and all of those kinds of things but my favorite part of all this is the way people come together, the fellowship of it all.”
The city of St. Charles rolled out the green carpet, so to speak, for the annual St. Patrick’s celebration which included a ceremony at the newly-opened First Street Plaza before noon, followed by a parade that kicked off at 2 p.m.
The opening ceremony included Irish dancers as well as a bagpipe group and the chance to take part in a St. Patrick’s scavenger hunt that featured a total of 20 shamrock clovers hidden around the downtown.
Events manager for the St. Charles Business Alliance Amy Curione said the group once again organized the parade which began back in the year 2000.
“We’ve had this for more than two decades and it’s always very popular. We never have trouble getting our parade filled up,” she said.
Curione said over 80 entries made up the procession this year with entrants consisting of “businesses, Scout groups, eight bands and not-for-profit groups.”
“The business and organizations always create something different and go above and beyond decorating their floats,” she said. “A total of eight bands is more than we normally have as well. It’s fun to be Irish for a day.”
St. Charles Mayor Lora Vitek said the parade continues to be a sign of spring and represents the first community get-together since Christmas.
“I think it’s important we continue to do this as it brings people into our town and they get to see what St. Charles is all about,” she said. “It’s an opportunity to highlight what we do and people here like celebrating our community.”
By 8 a.m. Saturday, Main Street was already sporting hundreds of chairs and blankets where those expecting to come later had reserved their spots.
Volunteer Steve Martin of St. Charles said he has been a marshal at the St. Patrick’s parade for years “and it means a lot to me to see so many people come together.”
“I’m part Irish and everybody is happy and has a small on their face,” Martin said as he stood at the start of the parade route. “Everyone is Irish today and this is good for our businesses as well. For me, the best thing is the fellowship. A lot of people are going to enjoy their food and beverages but to me it’s the camaraderie, getting together with your friends and family.”
Lacee Hudec of Dundee, a member of the Dundee Scottish Pipe Band, was set to march and perform with her group and said this was her fourth time performing in St. Charles.
“I love the crowds and the energy and how everyone just appreciates us. I’ve been a piper and now I’m doing drumming so I’ve done a little bit of everything,” she said.
Hudec said the parade is a real harbinger of spring.
“We’re coming out of our houses after being locked up with the cold winter and we get a chance to get out in the community and see people and have good food and experiences and the adrenaline and seeing all the groups of people here,” Hudec said.
Even animals got into the act as St. Charles resident Norm Boyd brought his 10-month-old Great Dane Phoebe to her first St. Charles parade wearing a white and green jacket of her own.
“She’s 124 pounds and this is her first parade,” Boyd said looking at his dog. “She’s pretty calm for the most part. I enjoy all the floats and different colors and people coming together.”
David Sharos is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
David Sharos , 2024-03-10 15:57:37
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