719-635-8803
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Wondering what to do on St. Patrick's Day in
Colorado Springs? If you're looking for your Pot o' Gold at the end of the
Rainbow and some Fun Stuff - you've found it! Colorado Springs has the best
St. Patrick's Day Parade! And before the Parade even begins, there's the
5K on St.
Patrick's Day along with a Leprechaun Fun Run along the Parade route.
Throughout the years, a St. Patrick's Day celebration has honored this religious
and Irish cultural celebration. Hundreds of marchers and spectators in their
green bedecked finery, the bands and floats, the flags and music-and real
(??) Leprechauns-highlight one of the grandest parades in our city that
loves parades! The veneration in which the Irish have held Saint Patrick
is evidenced by the salutation, still common today, "May God, Mary
and Patrick bless you."
The St. Patrick's Day Parade is one of the most popular parades in Colorado
Springs and the biggest event in the city! Last year over 30,000 spectators
watched the St. Patrick's Day Parade as it marched through the heart of
Colorado Springs to the sound of bagpipes and the cheers of families lining
the streets. The combination of flags, floats, kids, and pipe band music
made everyone smile and be Irish for a day. The 25th Annual Parade will
be even better so you'll want to get there early for good viewing!
The parade is being held the Saturday before the actual calendar date
of Saint Patrick's Day to allow families to participate in the festivities
without having to remove their children from school. Our parade is for everyone
to enjoy-especially families! This year the parade begins at 12:00 noon,
Saturday, March 15, 2008. The parade starts at Tejon Street and E. St Vrain.
The parade units will proceed south on Tejon Street to Vermijo. The reviewing
stand will be located in front of 25 N. Tejon Street. New this year is the
opportunity to purchase tickets to the Grand Stand! The Parade Announcer
will be situated at 25 N. Tejon Street in a balcony overlooking the parade
route.
Reviewing Stand/Grand Stand:
Reviewing stand/Grand stand tickets are available to the public this year!
The Grand Stand is a great way to watch the Parade. Seats are located adjacent
to the announcer. This guarantees that you'll be at the center of the parade
in the Grand Stand! Tickets are $50/couple and include snacks & beverages,
an Irish flag, a Parade Program, and Irish "baubles." Additional
family member tickets are available for only $5 for children under 18; if
your kids are over 18 and want to hang out with you, its $25 per additional
ticket! Tickets are required for entry prior to the Parade. We won't be
able to sell you a ticket the day of the Parade-so get them early! Tickets
can be ordered by calling 719.635.8803 - have your MasterCard or Visa ready!
We'll take orders Monday through Friday from 9 am to 4 pm! Order deadline
is Monday, March 10, 2008. Tickets will be mailed directly to you; out-of-town
guests will be given instructions for ticket pickup on Parade Day.
Presiding over the Parade is the Grand Marshal
of the Parade, someone who has had an impact to the Irish or to the community!
This year it is Mr. Jim Lyons of Denver. Mr. Lyons was appointed by the
president to help broker the Northern Ireland peace and power sharing accord,
creating a lasting peace.
The day begins with the 5K for St. Patrick's Day Race starting at 10:00
a.m. A Children's Fun Run for the littlest leprechauns running the length
of a rainbow will be held at 11:00 a.m. The Parade follows at Noon!
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