Parade Information

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Parade Information

The 2006 St. Patrick's Day Parade Pictures!

To see more parade pictures, CLICK HERE!

Ed Kettle tells Ch.13 about parade success!

A more perfect parade day couldn't have been ordered for the 23rd annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in downtown Grand Rapids! A.O.H. President Bill Quinn takes credit for the perfect weather, but the true star of the event was parade organizer, Ed Kettle of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. The changed parade route, and special activities at the end of the parade made this the best event in the parade's 23 year history. A commemorative, souvenir program was a great addition and the A.O.H. hopes everyone will thank the sponsors for making the parade such a success.

Mayor Hartwell speaks to crowd!

With the loss of financial support from the City of Grand Rapids for all parades and many other events, a considerable financial burden was placed on the A.O.H. in order to pull the event off. Ed succeeded by guiding the parade into a more family friendly event, and by drawing attention to these changes, and then asking for support from area businesses. The program booklet is proof that Grand Rapids Area businesses "stepped up to the plate" in support of the event, and the parade was one of, (if not the,) best in history.

A couple of happy parade watchers!

Irish Singer Pat Woods performing Irish National Anthem

The A.O.H. thanks all of the parade supporters, participants and of course those in attendance for making the 2006 St. Patrick's Day Parade the best ever, and look forward to bringing you the 24th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 17th, 2007!

What a difference a year makes!

As mentioned above, weather had a very positive effect on the turn out at this year's St. Patrick's Day Parade! Thanks to all who came out and showed their pride in their Irish Heritage!

2005

2006

If you took pictures during the parade, and would like to share them on this web page, please send them to:

webmaster@lynchslair.com

Here's a picture of the parade entry from

TLC Greyhound Adoptions of MI

(Always a welcomed addition to the parade!)

CLICK ON PICTURE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT TLCMI

If you are interested in adopting a greyhound

or want more information, CLICK ON THE PICTURE!

Parade info: from this year:

Lynch's Lair celebrates its second St. Patrick's Day with a parade!!!

Actually, we aren't throwing the parade… but, we'll be in it! The Ancient Order of Hibernians in America, The Reverend John Whalen McGee Division, of Grand Rapids is again hosting this annual event. While the parade format will be similar to years past, the parade route has been changed for 2006! The Parade route will start on North Division and head SOUTHWARD to Fulton Street, where it will turn EASTWARD and proceed to the parking lot of Park Congregational Church. The change in the route was made, in part to assist in the goal of making the St. Patrick's Day Parade even more family friendly by ending the parade portion of the day's festivities near The Grand Rapids Children's Museum and The Grand Rapids Public Library. Both are planning special activities for parade goers at the end of the parade.

NEW PARADE ROUTE FOR 2006!

PARADE ENDS NEAR CHILDREN'S MUSEUM!

Our mascot, Liam the extra large Leprechaun, will be joined by some of his other leprechaun friends this year. Most notably, the "King of Leprechauns" who will be greeting kids at the end of the parade at the Children's Museum. Photo opportunities and face painting will be available at this location. Poetry readings and other activities are planned at the library.

This year's Parade Grand Marshal is Marty Allen, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Gerald R. Ford Foundation and stalwart supporter of The University of Notre Dame and Aquinas College. The 2006 Spirit of Ireland recipient is Local Family Court Judge Kathleen Feeney, who published a book called "Anna's Friends" to help parents and friends deal with a puzzling disease "Leigh's syndrome." Judge Feeney wrote the book by documenting the loss of her own 20 month old daughter, Anna, to this mitochondrial disease.

We hope you will consider joining Liam at the 2006 St. Patrick's Day Parade in Downtown Grand Rapids. The Parade begins promptly at Noon on Saturday March 11^th. It's not too long to stand in elements, and this year you can warm up at either the Children's Museum or The Grand Rapids Public Library at the end! To see what last year's Parade looked like, visit our page dedicated to the 2005 St. Patrick's Day Parade!

Click on the Leprechaun to see the 2005 PARADE PICTURES!

"A Unique Offering of Celtic and Irish Gifts"

Lynch's Lair, 2055 28th Street S.E., Grand Rapids MI, (USA) 49508 (616)245-0920

Grand Rapids MI's ONLY IRISH and CELTIC GIFT SHOP

Copyright 2006, www.lynchslair.com

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