MONROE — Main Street Monroe, celebrating its 18th anniversary as a 501(c)3 not for profit, will officially kick off its 2022 event season with the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Thursday, March 17. 

The parade is once again being organized by local residents, Jim and Veronica Bruce, and business owners Tracy Hamilton of Heartland Graphics, and Andy Hill of Toy Haus. 

Siblings Veronica and Tracy, along with Jim, have been organizing the parade for the past 20 years. The Hamiltons are quick to note their Irish heritage. They have first cousins still living in Ireland. 

In addition to Tom Ganshert serving as the parade Grand Marshall, Polly Whalen will serve as this year’s parade Queen. Both Ganshert and Whalen are lifelong residents of Monroe who have Irish lineage. Mike Doyle, who served as the county clerk, was one of the first to carry an Irish flag around the square to mark the holiday. He will again carry the flag this year. The parade will also feature a variety of community groups, businesses including Bailey’s Run, live music, and a leprechaun or two. Volunteers are eager to build upon last year’s success and keep adding “special touches” to the event. 

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 executive director Jordan Nordby emphasized that this year, the parade will focus a bit more on family. 

“We’re definitely encouraging everyone to come down, if not participate, with their kids, grandparents, extended family. There are really some beautiful Irish sayings about what a blessing family is and that really resonates with us this year,” he said.

Nordby noted that approximately 15% of Green County has Irish heritage and oftentimes that group gets overlooked. 

“Being ‘Irish for the day’ has been co-opted but we’re excited to really have that mean celebrating ancestry and family,” he said.

The parade is sponsored by Cactus Co and Bullet’s/Doyle’s Irish Restaurant. 

Questions may be directed to Jordan Nordby, Executive Director at 608-328-4023, Andy Hill at 815-291-6916, or Veronica Bruce at 608-329-4204.