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Hundreds turn out for greening of city
St. Patrick's Day parade is a huge draw for downtown Fredericksburg
Date published: 3/17/2008
BY CATHY JETT
Sunny skies and a chance to sport a bit o' green drew hundreds to downtown Fredericksburg yesterday.
They'd lined several blocks of Caroline Street by 5 p.m. for the start of the 3rd annual St. Patrick's Day Parade. Led by bagpiper Tom Weimer, the procession included nearly 40 groups, about 20 more than last year.
There was St. Patrick surrounded by his "little saints and angels," who handed green-beaded necklaces to the crowd, and rifle-carrying members of the Irish Brigade re-enactors group.
Students from two local Irish dance studios, Studio 17 and Patrick McGrath Academy, had people clapping along as they performed for the four judges seated in front of Irish Eyes. And the Fredericksburg Classic and Muscle Car Club had some people covering their ears as members gunned their souped-up motors.
Other participants included Liberty Tax Service, whose float carried a huge inflatable version of the Statue of Liberty. Lady Liberty was, as emcee John Carey pointed out, many Irish immigrants' first sight of the United States.
The American Canoe Association, which is moving its headquarters to Fredericksburg, was there as well, as were representatives from Virginia Greyhound Adoption, who dressed their dogs in green for the occasion.
City Councilman Matt Kelly was the parade's grand marshal, and Erin Hall, a Germanna Community College student, was the parade's Rose of Tralee, a traditional honor going to a woman who is the embodiment of an Irish girl.
Del. Brian Moran, D-Alexandria, his wife and two children also put in an appearance in a bright green Mustang. He'd met beforehand with about 50 people at a reception in the Princess Anne Building that was sponsored by the Fredericksburg Democratic Committee and the University of Mary Washington Young Democrats.
Moran, who is the House Democratic Caucus Chairman and a likely candidate for governor, apologized to attendees for being late. He'd been stuck in traffic.
Moran told the group that he could talk about the current transportation stalemate in the General Assembly, but preferred instead to talk about how his Irish heritage instilled in him an intolerance for injustice.
"It's incumbent upon us to remain vigilant," he said, "and to fight for those who do not have the same opportunities."
Moran also said that he doesn't plan to make any announcements about his future plans until next year, but added that people could expect to see him visiting their communities soon.
The St. Patrick's Day Parade was begun in 2006 by Mike and Bernadette Esler, owners of Irish Eyes and The Blarney Stone Public House, both in the 700 block of Caroline Street.
"It just seemed like the natural order of things," said Bernadette Esler, who hails from County Galway, Ireland. "People would ask all the time, 'What are you doing for St. Patrick's Day, and are you having a parade?'"
This year's event was sponsored by the Eslers; the Irish American Social Club, which they helped found; and the Fredericksburg Jaycees.
"I think we had a better turnout than last year," Bernadette Esler said after the parade ended. "We're going to grow it. It'll be like the Christmas parade."
Cathy Jett: 540/374-5407
Email: cjett@freelancestar.com
Date published: 3/17/2008
Most recent reader comments:
4 comments have been posted.
my family would have loved something like this. wish i'd have
known about it! where can we find out happenings like this, so
we don't miss them anymore?
had a wonderful parade and day of festivites!
are like Mom and apple pie --they go together in America! Where have YOU been, dmine45?
Now the politicians are making an annual parade a political photo op. Ugh. Thank goodness I didn't attend.
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wish i'd have known
(posted by
AnaMatopoeia
, Mar. 17, 2008 12:55 pm)
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