Welcome to the Order Of Erin!
By the Miracle of St. Patrick and the Luck of the Irish, the First-Ever St. Patrick's Parade in Independence happened:
With over 40 entries, some of which showed up at the last moment, the parade started promptly at 11:30. Over 60 Sunshine Kids rode or walked in the parade.
All kinds of Irish in the parade and on the route showed their spirt. The parade seems to have been a total success. Thanks to the Super Sponsors, sponsors and participants. Thanks also to the Independence Police Department, The Temple grounds, The Independence Square Merchants and many others. (See Special Thanks Page.)
The GRAND TOTAL collected for Sunshine Center exceeds $2,700.00 and a few checks are still in the mail. Jersey's Sports Cafe won the Battle of the Bars with over $1100 collected. Jersey's was also a Super Sponsor along with Nick's Tavern and Whiskey & Roses who each contributed money, prizes and time to make the First Ever St. Patrick's Parade work for Independence. A "tax deductible" check can still do a lot of good. Most registered participants received certificates, but for those of you who did not or who "registered" on the spot, contact parade@familymatter.com and those awards can be supplied.
Many Irish Kudos to the Super Sponsors: Nick's Tavern, Jersey's Sports Cafe and Whiskey and Roses. Their funding of the expenses for advertising and donations for prizes made the whole thing happen. Thanks to all who donated time and money. The Gold Sponsors and Sponsors lists will be updated as information is received.
Awards at the Parade:
Best in Parade: Tommy's Tavern
Runner-up in Parade: Independence 76 Fire Company
Best Float: Whiskey and Roses
Best Equine: Bill Lemmon
Best Walking Entry: T.O.P.S.
Best Auto: KC Chuggers
Best Music: Sound Choice Karaoke (K.C. Stangel)
Best Irish Spirit: Jersey's Sports Cafe
Best Costume: R. Ettinger, The Examiner
Best Time: The Sunshine Kids
Best Feeling: The crowd on the streets
Best Parade: All our participants
The Eastern Jackson County Examiner featured the parade in their paper. February 14, Green Pride will be showing in First Independence St Patrick's Parade ,March 16, Time to Bring Out Your Irish Pride, March, 18 Green for a Day ,and March, 25 Parade brings in $2,500 for center .
Channel 41 had a news crew at the scene of a parade. At least 200 parade day pictures and a DVD video will be available in a few weeks for those wishing to actually see the parade or see the parade again. Approximate cost $20. Proceeds go to..... Guess who, the Sunshine Center.
The Director of Sunshine Center, Beth Grubb, has given the "green light" for next year. She and the Staff and kids were pleased with contributions and the "fun" that have been provided for the School. News of those plans will start at this page in the coming months. Please make contact if you are interested in planning, sponsoring or coordinating the event.
If you have digital pics to share please send them to parade@familymatter.com. If you are interested in being contacted to help organize next year's parade, please use the same address and let us know how to reach you and what you would be interested in helping with. The next parade will be bigger and hopefully better.
The Judges. We were honored to have James Schultz, Independence City Councilman At-Large and Willard Swoffer, Independence City Councilman 2nd District as our judges who were joined by Lois McDonald who graciously and with the dignity of Irish politicians decided and announced the nine winning categories. Thank you.
With over 40 entries, some of which showed up at the last moment, the parade started promptly at 11:30. Over 60 Sunshine Kids rode or walked in the parade.
All kinds of Irish in the parade and on the route showed their spirt. The parade seems to have been a total success. Thanks to the Super Sponsors, sponsors and participants. Thanks also to the Independence Police Department, The Temple grounds, The Independence Square Merchants and many others. (See Special Thanks Page.)
The GRAND TOTAL collected for Sunshine Center exceeds $2,700.00 and a few checks are still in the mail. Jersey's Sports Cafe won the Battle of the Bars with over $1100 collected. Jersey's was also a Super Sponsor along with Nick's Tavern and Whiskey & Roses who each contributed money, prizes and time to make the First Ever St. Patrick's Parade work for Independence. A "tax deductible" check can still do a lot of good. Most registered participants received certificates, but for those of you who did not or who "registered" on the spot, contact parade@familymatter.com and those awards can be supplied.
Many Irish Kudos to the Super Sponsors: Nick's Tavern, Jersey's Sports Cafe and Whiskey and Roses. Their funding of the expenses for advertising and donations for prizes made the whole thing happen. Thanks to all who donated time and money. The Gold Sponsors and Sponsors lists will be updated as information is received.
Awards at the Parade:
Best in Parade: Tommy's Tavern
Runner-up in Parade: Independence 76 Fire Company
Best Float: Whiskey and Roses
Best Equine: Bill Lemmon
Best Walking Entry: T.O.P.S.
Best Auto: KC Chuggers
Best Music: Sound Choice Karaoke (K.C. Stangel)
Best Irish Spirit: Jersey's Sports Cafe
Best Costume: R. Ettinger, The Examiner
Best Time: The Sunshine Kids
Best Feeling: The crowd on the streets
Best Parade: All our participants
The Eastern Jackson County Examiner featured the parade in their paper. February 14, Green Pride will be showing in First Independence St Patrick's Parade ,March 16, Time to Bring Out Your Irish Pride, March, 18 Green for a Day ,and March, 25 Parade brings in $2,500 for center .
Channel 41 had a news crew at the scene of a parade. At least 200 parade day pictures and a DVD video will be available in a few weeks for those wishing to actually see the parade or see the parade again. Approximate cost $20. Proceeds go to..... Guess who, the Sunshine Center.
The Director of Sunshine Center, Beth Grubb, has given the "green light" for next year. She and the Staff and kids were pleased with contributions and the "fun" that have been provided for the School. News of those plans will start at this page in the coming months. Please make contact if you are interested in planning, sponsoring or coordinating the event.
If you have digital pics to share please send them to parade@familymatter.com. If you are interested in being contacted to help organize next year's parade, please use the same address and let us know how to reach you and what you would be interested in helping with. The next parade will be bigger and hopefully better.
The Judges. We were honored to have James Schultz, Independence City Councilman At-Large and Willard Swoffer, Independence City Councilman 2nd District as our judges who were joined by Lois McDonald who graciously and with the dignity of Irish politicians decided and announced the nine winning categories. Thank you.