OCEAN CITY — Ocean City will be glowing with green at the 34th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival, which marches down Coastal Highway next weekend, on Saturday, March 14.
Sponsored by the Delmarva Irish-American Club, this Ocean City tradition has grown to become the second largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the state, in addition to a seasonal kick-off for many local businesses.
Leading the parade are grand marshals Kathleen and Mike Higgins. With pipe and drum bands, including the Chesapeake Caledonian Pipe Band and the Ocean City Pipe and Drum Band, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade brings the sounds of Ireland to the streets of Ocean City. Also participating are several area high school marching bands led by the Stephen Decatur High School Marching Band and numerous festively decorated St. Patty’s Day floats.
The procession begins at noon at 57th Street and marches south on Coastal Highway to the 45th Street Shopping Center, where the viewing and judges stand will be located. Trophies will be awarded for best marching band, best commercial float, best non-commercial float, best motorized unit, best adult marching unit, best youth marching unit, special committee award, judges’ choice award and best overall entry in the parade.
In addition to the celebration on the street, the 45th Street Shopping Center will be once again be transformed into a lively Irish festival complete with live Irish entertainment, dancers, face painting, Irish apparel and plenty of food and drink. With music provided by Pat O’Brennan and dance performances by the Footsteps Irish Dancers, spectators can enjoy the free-admission festival beginning at 11 a.m. running until 3 p.m.
The Delmarva Irish-American Club was founded in 1980. The first membership drive resulted in 75 members; today the membership totals more than 300 and is open to anyone who is Irish, of Irish descent or just likes things Irish. The club has awarded approximately $300,000 for scholarships to local students from the proceeds of previous parades. For more information, visit www.delmarvairish.org or contact Buck Mann at 410-289-6156.
Grand Marshals Mike and Kathleen have been members of the Delmarva Irish-American Club for more than 10 years and have been co-treasurers since 2010.
“We love the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and are so honored to be the grand marshals for 2015,” Kathleen said. Mike added, “Thanks to the Delmarva Irish-American Club for this privilege.”