St. Pat's Parade Marches on Despite Cash Shortage

On Monday, the Royal Oak City Commission approved a special event permit for the St. Patrick’s Day parade to march down Washington Avenue on March 10.

Parade organizer Carol Hennessey told commissioners that a spaghetti dinner fundraiser held last Thursday was well attended, but still left organizers short approximately $1,000.

“I believe we will somehow come up with all the money we need,” Hennessey said.

Mayor Jim Ellison asked Police Chief Corrigan O’Donohue if his department has had any negative experiences with the parade, which began in 2004.

“It’s a good event and I am certainly not going to oppose an Irish event,” the chief said.

Part of the reason organizers need to raise nearly $3,000 is to reimburse the city for police protection – four officers and a supervisor on overtime.

“Do we need that much police protection for an Irish event?” asked Pro Tem Patricia Capello.

“Uh, yes. It’s probably not enough for an Irish event,” O'Donohue joked.

Organizers estimate approximately 300 participants and another 2,000 in attendance.

The parade starts at 11:30 a.m. at Royal Oak Middle School and marches south down Washington passing judges at the intersection of Sixth Street and Washington before turning west on Seventh Street and ending at the St. Mary Catholic Church parking lot.

The parade lasts for approximately one hour. Cleanup takes another 90 minutes.

Be part of the parade

Call 248-541-2500 or email s2600z@yahoo.com for information on how you or your organization can be a part of the parade.

Make a donation

Send donations to AOH St. Patrick’s Day Parade, P.O. Box 1520, Royal Oak, MI 48067-9988. Make checks payable to AOH.