MONROE — This past week, Main Street Monroe kicked the countdown to its annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade into high gear with announcements of this year’s King and Queen and Grand Marshalls.
The King and Queen are Monroe natives, Dennis and Jane Ganshert. The Ganshert family has been a part of the parade since it started in 1999. Dennis and Jane have not been a part of every single parade, but Main Street’s executive director notes that, “it’s been pretty darn close. They are one of the nicest couples and have such faith and pride in community.”
The parade also typically has a grand marshal. This year, though, it will have several as the children of Skip Brennan, who passed shortly after last year’s parade, will be filling the role in his honor. Skip was one of the original founders of the parade. Nordby notes that Brennan was another resident with a strong sense of community and Irish heritage. “He has been deeply missed by so many.” His daughter Erin Buhlmann commented that he used to coordinate St. Victor’s students as part of the parade and would walk them down.
This year, the parade will feature a variety of community groups including Monroe Arts Center, businesses including Kundert Construction, TruHome, plus Mayor Donna Douglas, multiple entries with live music, including from the Monroe High School band, and a leprechaun or two from Bullet’s/Doyle’s Irish Pub. Longtime volunteers Veronica and Jim Bruce are again overseeing efforts. “Each year we want to improve upon the last year. The decorations and floats keep getting better and better. It’s about community and really all having a great time together.”
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.
Main Street Monroe, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary as an organization in 2025, will also have a proper float in the parade instead of its customary banner. It will also be handing out approximately 300 tokens which will be redeemable for free drinks, coffee, or ice cream at different downtown merchants as part of the anniversary celebration. Jane Ganshert remarked that after moving back to Monroe from Janesville to be closer to family and to raise their son in 1990 “there were things happening in Monroe [back then] but not like now. Main Street has done just a wonderful job creating excitement and events.” Nordby added, “it’s about fostering sense of community.”
Coinciding with the parade, the Monroe Public Library will be having a special craft set up on the 17th where anyone can make a green hat and orange beard to show extra spirit at the parade. Bullquarian Brewhouse will also be open with live music following the parade. Cactus Co will have a new drink menu and Bullet’s will have corned beef and cabbage the weekend leading up to the parade. Main Street Monroe’s Catch a Clover Retail Promotion is currently underway and will go through St. Patrick’s Day.
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. Buhlmann noted that people often think the parade is at 5:17 because of St. Patrick’s Day being on the 17th of March. “But really, that was my dad. When he organized the Bach Run that was at 1:06. Nothing quite made sense. He would always say it’s just ‘Irish’ time.’”
Questions may be directed to Jordan Nordby, Executive Director at 608-328-4023, or Veronica Bruce at 608-329-4204.
