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Be ‘green’ at St. Patrick Day parade

2 min read

With concerns for the environment growing, why not be ‘green’ on the day that matters most for the color and march in the 11th annual St. Patrick’s Day parade March 17 on the south end of Estero Boulevard.

Non-marchers are also invited to attend the one-hour event which leaves Santini Marina Plaza at 10 a.m. sharp and proceeds approximately one mile north on the beach’s main drag to the Church of Ascension.

“We’re always looking for more people to participate,” said parade chairman Ray Murphy. “No Irish polygraph will be given.”

Islanders and tourists are to be forewarned that stretch of road will be closed from 9:45 to 11 a.m. on that Tuesday.

“If people have to leave the island, they better plan ahead,” said Murphy.

“The parade has grown leaps and bounds.”

Murphy began the festive parade with the intention of assembling a group of fellow Irish-Americans for a good time.

“That first year, I was on the town council,” said the former mayor. “I also had a pretty good group of Irish-American friends including the late Father Goggin, Tom Myers and John McCarthy. Why not celebrate?”

This year’s marchers will include the Lee County Pipe and Drum Corps, neighborhood groups, area businesses, members of the many condominium associations and anyone else who wants to wear green beads.

Many St. Patty’s day revelers will begin their day by assembling at Castaways’ Bar & Grill in Santini Marina Plaza at 8:30 or 9 a.m.

“We’ll be serving a continental breakfast before the parade,” said Castaways’ owner Steve Grish. “We’re also going to be crowning the king and queen of Castaways, and they’ll be riding in the parade on our own float.”

Grish, along with wife Megan, will be hosting four bands starting right after the parade and expect to serve 600 pounds of traditional corned beef and cabbage throughout the day.

So start your Irish holiday on the right foot and march forward.

“It’s good to take a day and have fun (during these troubled times),” said Murphy. “We need to live normal lives despite these influences.”

For more information contact Murphy at 591-8803 or go to raymurphy6@aol.com.

Be ‘green’ at St. Patrick Day parade

2 min read

With concerns for the environment growing, why not be ‘green’ on the day that matters most for the color and march in the 11th annual St. Patrick’s Day parade March 17 on the south end of Estero Boulevard.

Non-marchers are also invited to attend the one-hour event which leaves Santini Marina Plaza at 10 a.m. sharp and proceeds approximately one mile north on the beach’s main drag to the Church of Ascension.

“We’re always looking for more people to participate,” said parade chairman Ray Murphy. “No Irish polygraph will be given.”

Islanders and tourists are to be forewarned that stretch of road will be closed from 9:45 to 11 a.m. on that Tuesday.

“If people have to leave the island, they better plan ahead,” said Murphy.

“The parade has grown leaps and bounds.”

Murphy began the festive parade with the intention of assembling a group of fellow Irish-Americans for a good time.

“That first year, I was on the town council,” said the former mayor. “I also had a pretty good group of Irish-American friends including the late Father Goggin, Tom Myers and John McCarthy. Why not celebrate?”

This year’s marchers will include the Lee County Pipe and Drum Corps, neighborhood groups, area businesses, members of the many condominium associations and anyone else who wants to wear green beads.

Many St. Patty’s day revelers will begin their day by assembling at Castaways’ Bar & Grill in Santini Marina Plaza at 8:30 or 9 a.m.

“We’ll be serving a continental breakfast before the parade,” said Castaways’ owner Steve Grish. “We’re also going to be crowning the king and queen of Castaways, and they’ll be riding in the parade on our own float.”

Grish, along with wife Megan, will be hosting four bands starting right after the parade and expect to serve 600 pounds of traditional corned beef and cabbage throughout the day.

So start your Irish holiday on the right foot and march forward.

“It’s good to take a day and have fun (during these troubled times),” said Murphy. “We need to live normal lives despite these influences.”

For more information contact Murphy at 591-8803 or go to raymurphy6@aol.com.