Community Corner

St. Patrick's Day Parade Promises Irish Fun in Royal Oak

Popular annual event begins at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Royal Oak Middle School.

The streets of Royal Oak will turn green Saturday with the annual , kicking off at 11:30 a.m. downtown.

For the ninth year, the Norman O’Brien Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians will host the event. The group has been responsible for the Irish tradition for nine years, said Steve Zannetti, parade chairman and 12-year Hibernian member.

“We started it with about 20 guys and just a few people and as of yesterday we had 52 groups signed up,” Zannetti said Thursday. “It has grown immensely.”

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Fitting with this year's theme, "A tribute to Irish families," the parade is really a calling of the clans, Zannetti said, where Irish families try to outdo other Irish families with their parade entries and spirit.

The parade begins at on Washington north of 11 Mile Road and will make its way south, passing the judges and announcers in front of before turning west on Seventh Street and ending at the parking lot on Lafayette.

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The event is for families to honor and celebrate Irish traditions and the true sense of the holiday, Zannetti said. There will be plenty of drinking later for many Irish families, but this event is a time for togetherness, he explained.

Last year, about 3,500 people turned out for the parade and organizers expect the number to increase Saturday. Paradegoers are encouraged to arrive early to grab a good spot. With the luck of the Irish on its side, the parade might dodge a dodgy weather forecast. According to the National Weather Service, Saturday paradegoers could see some rain and snow before noon, then a chance of rain. It is expected to be mostly cloudy, with a high near 43 degrees.

The Rev. Russell E. Kohler from Most Holy Trinity Church in Corktown will serve as the parade grand marshal and 13th District state Sen. John Pappageorge will serve as the honorary marshal. The Ancient Order of the Hibernians will also honor the tradition of making one child chosen by the as its special parade guest. This year, 15-year-old Jacob Herrera from will wear the special sash.


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