St Patricks Day in Kalamazoo

Our St.Patrick’s Day parade took place in Downtown Kalamazoo. The Kalamazoo area bicycle clubs served as Grand Marshall. Kicking off at 11:00 a.m. at the corner of Michigan and Burdick Streets, the parade traveled south down Burdick to Cedar Street, turning right on Cedar St. and ending at Rose St. Over 50 local groups, families, schools, organizations and businesses participated in the annual event.

Several thousand folks lined the streets of downtown Kalamazoo with green being the color of the day. Shamrocks and Irish flags adorned the warm and sunny Burdick Street Mall. Highlights of the 2019 parade included the Kalamazoo Pipe Band, putting a little “kilt rock” on the mall. Irish eyes were smiling as the Hackett Band kept in step playing some of everyone’s favorite Irish tunes. Proving that you don’t have to be Irish but share a love for Ireland, the Sons of Norway and The Kalamazoo Scottish Festival Association joined in our celebration. Local celebrities from television and radio,as well as several local sport teams participated. Families, proud of their Irish heritage rode in decorated vehicles or marched proudly behind banners etched with their family name or crest. Irish step dancers kept the beat, local scouting troops, nonprofit agencies, businesses and restaurants all contributed to the fun and success of the parade by passing out treats to the onlookers.

To top off such a fine day, the parade ended with St. Patrick, himself .