MONROE — Main Street Monroe, celebrating its 19th anniversary as a 501(c)3 not-for-profit, will officially kick off its 2024 event season as it has in past years with the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The parade will be at 1:17 p.m. on Saturday, March 16.
The parade is once again being organized by local business owners Tracy Hamilton, Heartland Graphics; and Andy Hill, Toy Haus. The parade itself is older than Main Street Monroe, with Hamilton and his sister Veronica Bruce having been organizing the parade for the past 20 years. Given their longtime involvement and Irish heritage, Main Street felt it was only right to recognize them in a more official capacity. Each year, the parade has a king and queen.
Veronica will be serving as this year’s queen, while her husband, Jim Bruce, will serve as king. Both are proudly of Irish heritage. Veronica’s grandmother was born in Ireland and she has cousins still living in Ireland. Additionally, Jeff “Twitty” Conway will serve as the parade Grand Marshall.
The parade will also feature a variety of community groups, businesses (including new business Spilled Grapes, which will be opening on the east side of the square), bagpipers, a leprechaun or two, kilts, and St. Patrick himself.
Main Street Monroe’s executive director, Jordan Nordby, made note of the longstanding history of the event and the continuous goal to keep adding things.
“We fully recognize how much this parade means to so many as does being Irish,” Nordby said. “We want to keep improving. The goal is to really emphasize the beauty of Irish heritage and Ireland and make this a highlight of everyone’s spring.”
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 back 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, including signing up online.
The parade is sponsored again this year by Cactus Co Booze & Bites and Bullet’s/Doyle’s Irish Restaurant.
Questions can be directed to Nordby at 608-328-4023, Hill at 815-291-6916, or Veronica Bruce at 608-329-4204.
