Parade Wrap Up

Well, in spite of the Irish weather yesterday, didn't we have a grand time? I'll post pictures of our float as soon as somebody sends me some. I can proudly say that the Kansas City Irish Fest entry won the first place prize in the Organizations division of the parade.

Our entry, in keeping with the Growing Up Irish in Kansas City theme of this year's march, depicted a vintage Catholic grade school classroom with two rather masculine looking nuns (Sisters Rory O'Connor and Ronan Collins of the Irish Fest board) teaching their uniformed students (Board members Ed Scanlon, Ed Follis, Barney Walsh and myself, Executive Director Keli O'Neill Wenzel, her husband John Wenzel, Site Host committee chair Sarah Walsh, Reunion Area chair Carol Braun, Raffle chair Maureen Deeds, and Merchandise chair Ron Einbender) the finer points of putting on an Irish Fest. I can honestly say that in spite of the dismal weather, I've never had so much fun on a parade float. It was one of those face-hurts-from-laughing kind of days. A staff after party at The Gaf followed in the afternoon, and then further socializing and eating at the home of Ed and Barbara Scanlon.

Sincere thanks to all who made the day such a success for the Irish Fest entry whether by working on the float or braving the deluge to march and smile and wave. And congratulations to parade co-chairs Jami Byers and Irish Fest's own Erin Kiekbusch for making the best of the worst weather in Kansas City St. Patrick's Day history and putting on a fine and very fun event. Next year, sunshine, temperatures in the 70s and another win for Irish Fest. You heard it here first.