By Thomas Grant Jr.
After an eight-day postponement due to rainy weather, the ninth Shamrock Parade in Lexington took place Sunday under clear skies.
Hundreds of observers lined up along Main Street to watch and cheer those participants who either marched like the 282nd Army Band from Fort Jackson who rode in various floats and vehicles such as political, law enforcement and community figures and familiar mascots.
One of the mascots, the Blowfish’s Blowie rode in a Lexington Fire Department truck which also had the 2023 Coastal Plain League trophy won last August.
This was the ninth edition of the Shamrock Parade, which started in 2015 and became a joint venture of the Lexington County Blowfish and O’Hara’s Public House. In bringing Lexington its own version of the St. Patrick’s Day parade, Blowfish co-owners Bill and Vicki Shanahan and O’Hara’s co-owner Matt O’Hara put together a family event that honored their Irish heritage.
Among the federal and state representatives In the parade were U.S. Rep. Joe and his son/state Attorney General Alan Wilson, state senator Katrina Shealy and state representative candidate Travis Bell.
Leading the parade was the Ancient Order of the Hibernians, proudly displaying banners and flags presenting Irish heritage. Participants included various community organizations, state and federal officials, entertainers, pageant winners, and even mascots like the Blowfish’s Blowie.
Other participants included The Connick School of Irish Dancers, O’Hara’s Irish Band, children’s entertainer Mark Lippard, the Jamil Shriners Choo-Choo Train, a vintage fire truck, Miss Ireland & Junior Miss Ireland, various pageant winners from throughout the county, musicians from Freeway Music and Mr. and Mrs. Shamrock John and Kelly Clinger of Old Mill BrewPub.
Photos by Thomas Grant, Jr.
