MONROE — A returning favorite spring event, Main Street Monroe’s Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade is being organized around the theme: Green County — The Luckiest Place You Can Be Without Needing a Passport.

The event, which has long been organized by the Hamilton/Bruce Family of Monroe, celebrates Irish heritage, community pride, and the vibrant spirit of downtown Monroe. Green County has historically had about 16% of its population having Irish heritage. “There is, of course, a lot of truth to the saying that everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, but there is a lot of tradition and heritage within the county that we continue to recognize and celebrate,” Jordan Nordby, Main Street Monroe’s Executive Director notes. “We have been so fortunate to not only recognize that, but also grow it.” With regards to the theme, he notes that it’s really gratitude for where we live and all of the wonderful things there are to appreciate and take advantage of “not just during events, but throughout the whole year.”

The parade is free to enter and will start near Monroe Middle School, head east toward Turner Hall, and go up and around the east, north, and west sides of the downtown square before finishing at the middle school. Parking on the far west and far east sides of the square will be closed off; providing a safe viewing area for attendees. Those interested in participating in the parade may still enter. 

As previously announced, Chris and Val Coplien family will be this year’s grand marshals. They’re the family behind Declan’s Project. States Chris, “Thank you to Main Street, Tracy Hamilton, and the Bruces for asking and allowing us to be a part of this awesome tradition. We’d also like to thank everyone who helped with the successful UW Children’s Toy Drive this last Christmas. 

Declan’s Project will be doing a pop top drive this summer for the Ronald McDonald House and, as part of the parade, will also be sharing information about a Red Cross Blood Drive they will be hosting on June 6th. 

This year’s parade queen will be Pam Finley Hahn (pictured). Her mother, Mary, previously served as queen and her daughter, Morgan, was once the parade princess. The entire family, including Pam’s two children, have helped with Monroe’s Irish activities in the past. 

Coinciding with the parade, the Monroe Public Library will once again be having a special craft set up the week prior leading up to the 17th. The craft activity is a clover wand. Anyone wanting to make one can either at the library or take it home as a to go kit.

The parade is sponsored by Bullet’s/Doyle’s Irish Restaurant and Cactus Co Booze N’ Bites and will start at 5:17 p.m. Bullet’s will have its traditional corned beef and cabbage while Cactus Co will have specialty menu items as well as new drinks tying into the holiday. Both will also be a part of the parade, which as of now has 35 confirmed participants. Bullet’s dancing leprechauns have become a staple at this point according to Nordby. “We will have live music, a lot of color, costumes. It’s really a fun time no matter your age.” 

Main Street Monroe is also running a retail promotion: Catch a Clover. Nineteen varying businesses downtown have wooden clovers hidden throughout their shops. Anyone finding one in the next two weeks should bring it to the register of that business to be entered into drawings for a giveaway. The clover is then hidden in the store again by either the person who found it or the shop owner.

Participating businesses are Toy Haus, Heartland Graphics, Cosmic Collectibles, JoAnne’s Dress Shop, Orange Kitten Yarns, Century EcoWater Systems, Pancho & Lefty’s, The Garden Deli, Bullet’s, Cactus, Outpost Gaming, Studio 906, Payne’s Coffee Haus, Burington Shoes, Sunrise Donut Café, The Artful Dressmaker, Studio Elan Pilates, 213 Mercantile, and 608 The Factory, 

Questions may be directed to Jordan Nordby, Executive Director at 608.328.4023, or Veronica Bruce at 608.329.4204.