Thousands get taste o' St. Paddy's green S.L. parade offers a little something for everyone
By Lynn Arave Deseret News staff writer
Published: Sunday, March 14, 1999 12:00 a.m. MST
Saturday's St. Patrick's Day Parade boasted more than 130 entries and attracted several thousand spectators. And the spectacle had something for everyone.
This year's 21st annual parade, sponsored again by the Hibernian Society of Utah, lasted 100 minutes under sunny skies. It also incorporated several features unique to 1999 -- the Salt Lake Olympic scandal and the Y2K problem. The Disgusting Brothers band, playing rock music from the back of a flatbed truck, billed themselves as "The Unofficial SLOC Scandal Band."
Another group, Mac's Pre-Millennium band, a marching company, promoted itself as having the Y2 "Keg" solution.
Children seemed the most entertained by "Zany the Clown," who juggled a half-dozen hoops, and by the numerous parade participants who passed out an ample supply of balloons, coupons, candy, foam disks, newspapers, green necklaces, garden plants and even silk roses.
The George family of Salt Lake City watched the parade from the south side of South Temple at State Street.
"I liked the oriental Shriners band the best," Kelley George said. "They were a hoot."
It was her first St. Patrick's Day parade, though the event was a natural since she was born on March 17.
Her 5-year-old son, Saxon, said his favorite part of the parade was "the dragon" -- part of the Utah Scottish Association float.
Another youngster, Christian 6, of Sugar House, said the Salt Lake po- lice motorcycles were the best part for him. His mother said the bagpipe bands were her favorite.
Paradegoers got an early preview of the Salt Lake mayoral race, with all the candidates appearing near the start of the event. A few other politicians were there, too, such as Rep. Merrill Cook riding in a hot rod.
Floats included "Paddy's Express Train, No. 99" by Kearns St. Ann's School; "Paddy's Pot of Gold" and two versions of the snakes being driven out of Ireland.
Some of the world's largest dogs were also featured by the Irish Wolfhounds of Utah Society.
Frank Dunn, Hibernian Society parade committee member, said the event strives to encourage a lot of families -- Irish or not -- to enter. Indeed, there were several dozen families entered, with surnames such as O'Keefe, O'Leary, Flynn, Liston, Stack and Fergusson.
There were also a few unlikely parade entrants -- belly dancers; a Civil War cavalry band, accompanied by costumed women and children; a skimpily clad Spanish band, a 100-person Christian motorcycle club; and even Mickey and Minnie Mouse wearing green hats.
Grand marshal of the parade was James J. McNamara, and Harold Heath was recognized as the Hibernian Society member of the year. Both rode in horse-drawn buggies.
After the parade, the Hibernian Society sponsored an Irish "Siamsa" party at the Gallivan Center.
© 2009 Deseret News Publishing Company | All rights reserved
By Lynn Arave Deseret News staff writer
Published: Sunday, March 14, 1999 12:00 a.m. MST
Saturday's St. Patrick's Day Parade boasted more than 130 entries and attracted several thousand spectators. And the spectacle had something for everyone.
This year's 21st annual parade, sponsored again by the Hibernian Society of Utah, lasted 100 minutes under sunny skies. It also incorporated several features unique to 1999 -- the Salt Lake Olympic scandal and the Y2K problem. The Disgusting Brothers band, playing rock music from the back of a flatbed truck, billed themselves as "The Unofficial SLOC Scandal Band."
Another group, Mac's Pre-Millennium band, a marching company, promoted itself as having the Y2 "Keg" solution.
Children seemed the most entertained by "Zany the Clown," who juggled a half-dozen hoops, and by the numerous parade participants who passed out an ample supply of balloons, coupons, candy, foam disks, newspapers, green necklaces, garden plants and even silk roses.
The George family of Salt Lake City watched the parade from the south side of South Temple at State Street.
"I liked the oriental Shriners band the best," Kelley George said. "They were a hoot."
It was her first St. Patrick's Day parade, though the event was a natural since she was born on March 17.
Her 5-year-old son, Saxon, said his favorite part of the parade was "the dragon" -- part of the Utah Scottish Association float.
Another youngster, Christian 6, of Sugar House, said the Salt Lake po- lice motorcycles were the best part for him. His mother said the bagpipe bands were her favorite.
Paradegoers got an early preview of the Salt Lake mayoral race, with all the candidates appearing near the start of the event. A few other politicians were there, too, such as Rep. Merrill Cook riding in a hot rod.
Floats included "Paddy's Express Train, No. 99" by Kearns St. Ann's School; "Paddy's Pot of Gold" and two versions of the snakes being driven out of Ireland.
Some of the world's largest dogs were also featured by the Irish Wolfhounds of Utah Society.
Frank Dunn, Hibernian Society parade committee member, said the event strives to encourage a lot of families -- Irish or not -- to enter. Indeed, there were several dozen families entered, with surnames such as O'Keefe, O'Leary, Flynn, Liston, Stack and Fergusson.
There were also a few unlikely parade entrants -- belly dancers; a Civil War cavalry band, accompanied by costumed women and children; a skimpily clad Spanish band, a 100-person Christian motorcycle club; and even Mickey and Minnie Mouse wearing green hats.
Grand marshal of the parade was James J. McNamara, and Harold Heath was recognized as the Hibernian Society member of the year. Both rode in horse-drawn buggies.
After the parade, the Hibernian Society sponsored an Irish "Siamsa" party at the Gallivan Center.
© 2009 Deseret News Publishing Company | All rights reserved
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