Thursday, March 16, 2006
Parade, festival on Saturday
HILLARY DAVIS
Tucson Citizen
Tucsonans are still humming the strains of "Rawhide" from last months Fiesta de los Vaqueros parade. Now, it's time for "Danny Boy."
The 19th annual St. Patrick's Day Parade and Festival will include the usual festive floats, Irish foods and other goodies Saturday, come rain or shine.
Mark Murphy, in charge of keeping this year's parade going smoothly, said the parade is meant to foster appreciation for Irish culture, but is not limited to direct descendants of the Emerald Isle.
"It's a mix of southern Arizona and the Irish community here. We're an all-inclusive parade," said Murphy, who has previously served the event's committee as parade chairman and in other roles.
Murphy estimates that between 60 and 70 entries, including step dancers clowns and the ever-popular, flamboyant Mashed Potato Queens, will march.
This year's parade starts at 11 a.m. and follows a jagged loop through downtown ending up on Stone Avenue adjacent to Jácome Plaza, where the festival awaits.
Murphy said the parade and festival's new location - last year's event was held outside the Tucson Convention Center - is prime. People can see the parade from three sides of the centrally situated festival grounds and enjoy the backdrop and acoustics afforded by the Old Pueblo's compact downtown.
"We just love being downtown," he said. "It's nice parade viewing."
This year's theme is "Celtic Tiger," a nod to Ireland's booming economy.
Parade grand marshals are Jack Daley, a local psychologist who has been active with Tucson's Irish community and charitable Emerald Isle Society, and Margy Eller, an Ireland native who works as a school nurse and student advocate for the Sunnyside Unified School District. Eller also is a past St. Patrick's Day parade and festival committee member and past entertainment chairman.
Murphy estimates about 15,000 spectators will come out for the festivities.
Jácome Plaza is next to the Joel D. Valdez Main Library. The festival starts at 10 a.m., an hour before the start of the about 90-minutelong parade. Vendors will sell ethnic arts, crafts, food and novelties. Local cartoonist David Fitzsimmons returns as master of ceremonies for the entertainment program.
19TH ANNUAL ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE AND FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
10-11 a.m.: Announcements and recorded Irish music
11-11:45 a.m.: Tubac's Montessori de Santa Cruz Fiddle Kids
12:15-12:30 p.m.: Opening ceremonies with the Irish and U.S. national anthems
12:15-12:45 p.m.: Mark Luther
12:45-1:15 p.m.: The Seven Pipers Society
1:15-1:45: Tir Conaill Academy of Irish Dance
2-2:30 p.m.: 'Round the House
2:30-3 p.m.: Bracken School of Irish Dance
3:15-4 p.m.: Cheat the Hangman
4:15-5 p.m.: Trim the Velvet
5:15-6 p.m.: The Highland Shamrocks
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