St. Patrick’s Parade to celebrate 10th anniversary

The St. Patrick’s Parade in Delano will celebrate its 10th anniversary this year, “so it’ll be a big one,” organizer Nancy Lawrence says. “I’ve already got a lot of entries.”

The parade will be Saturday, starting at noon at Douglas and McLean and proceeding down Douglas to Walnut Street. Among the entries: a 100-piece kazoo band, the West High band and Junior ROTC, miniature horses, antique cars, bagpipers and a pirate ship.

“Come early and get a good spot because it gets crowded,” Lawrence advised. “We have about 2,000 or more in the parade, and there’s probably 10,000 who watch it. We have people who are in this parade that have been in every single parade we have ever had. We have a lot of new ones, too.”

St. Patrick’s Day is not actually until Thursday, so the festivities will start this weekend and go through the actual feast of the patron saint of Ireland. Here are more of the events:

▪ Delano will have other activities before and after the noontime parade Saturday, Lawrence said.

Food trucks, balloons for the kids and other activities will be situated north of the clock tower at Sycamore and Douglas. The Shamrock at 1724 W. Douglas will have an Irish breakfast and lunch for those 21 and over. Next door at 1710 W. Douglas the New Covenant Church will have a free event for families, with hot dogs, games, face painting, photo booth, bounce house, popcorn and music by a worship band, “kind of like a little carnival atmosphere,” said Cathy Holley of the church.

The Monarch will be celebrating, too, and some of the businesses will have specials, Lawrence said. The Boy Scouts will have hot dogs for sale at Douglas and Osage.

Be aware that the staging of the parade takes place in the parking lot of Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, so parking is not available there, Lawrence said.

▪ If you get dressed up early, you can compete in a costume contest before the annual Wichita St. Patrick’s 5K at Old Cowtown Museum. The contest is at 7:30 a.m., the 5K sets off at 8 a.m., and a kids fun run for ages 8 and under is at 9 a.m. The cost is $35, $15 for the kids fun run. Registration starts at 6:30 a.m. Proceeds will benefit the Shriners Hospital for Children and Midian Transportation Fund. More information: www.wichitastpats5k.com.

▪ Also on Saturday morning, Dyck Arboretum of the Plains in Hesston will have its Go Green Leprechaun Run 10K and 2-mile fun run. There also will be a costume contest, green smoothies for sale, a prize for kids who cross the finish line, a raffle and a limerick search. The 10K starts at 8:30 a.m. (registration starting at 7:45 a.m.) and the fun run at 10 a.m. (registration starting at 9:15 a.m.). The 10K costs $30, the fun run $20. More info: dyckarboretum.org.

▪ Alefs Harley-Davidson is telling people to come out in their green Harley gear for a St. Patty’s Party from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. There will be green beer, live music, and brats and kraut while it lasts, off I-35 at the 53rd Street North exit. More info: 316-440-5700.

▪ On the eve of St. Patrick’s Day — that’s Wednesday — songwriter Lacey Cruse and instrumentalist Ryan McGinnis will take part in the monthly McGinnis Project Singer/Songwriter Series at the Artichoke Sandwich Bar at 8 p.m., 811 N. Broadway.

▪ On St. Patrick’s Day itself, the Cotillion will have Hank’s Free St. Patty’s Day Bash, featuring a free concert by Shane Smith and The Saints, along with Mountain Deer Revival and the Adam Capps Band. You can get the free tickets at the Cotillion or thecotillion.com. The show is at 8 p.m.; doors open at 7. The music is described as a touch of folk, rock, country and Americana — an “aggressive rootsy fiddle beat stew.”

▪ Also on St. Patrick’s night, Corky’s Pub & Grub, 779 N. West St., will feature music by the alternative rock band Yellow King along with Digital Wizardry and Ghost Town Strays at 9 p.m. There is no cover; must be 21.

▪ Kids can make St. Patrick’s Day crafts along with Easter crafts and decorate cookies at a Fun Day from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday at Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ, 6000 E. Harry. Macaroni and cheese will be served for lunch. The event is free. More info: 316-685-4451.

This story was originally published March 9, 2016 at 9:03 PM with the headline "St. Patrick’s Parade to celebrate 10th anniversary."