By Kathy Feist
With the stock market tumbling and unemployment rising, we could all use a little bit of luck right now. Or at least a little bit of respite. These three St. Patrick’s Day Parades in the southland may provide one more than the other. Below we list them chronologically:
Brookside St. Patrick’s Day Warm-Up Parade, March 15
The annual Brookside St. Patrick’s Warm-Up Parade is a fun, family-oriented event kicking off Saturday, March 15 at 2 p.m. at 65th & Wornall. The theme for this year is Dreaming of Green. Hosted in the heart of the historic Brookside Shops, the parade is sponsored by the Brookside Business Association and Community Improvement District.
The event draws approximately 15,000 participants and spectators from around the metro with over 100 organizations and businesses entering the parade. Whether marching, dancing, walking or riding – entries include bands, drill teams, Irish dancers, bagpipers, and dogs.
This year’s Grand Marshal is KCUR’s Steve Krasky.
The parade also continues the tradition of honoring a Brookside merchant who’s made a significant contribution to the Brookside Shops as the honorary Irish. This year’s honoree is Justin Hernandez, owner of Jalapenos Brookside. Jalapenos expanded into Brookside in 1995 when Justin was barely 14 years old. He took over the operation from his father, Benny, eight years ago.
“Justin is enthusiastic about Brookside, serves on our committees, hosts our monthly meetings, and has been a great Brookside ambassador for years–both he and his dad,” says Brookside Business Association and CID Executive Director Sean Ackerson.
Ackerson says many Brooksiders are drawn to the parade because of nostalgia. “Many started taking the kids where getting candy was a home run,” he says. “What makes it special as business owners is how many people they reconnect with during the parade. It’s a reunion for shops and the neighborhood.”
2025 entries will include returning favorites such as past winners Livers Bronze, Brookside/KC Spirit Award Noah’s Ark Animal Clinic and Best Music, Paseo Cheer and Dance Team, as well as classic cars. Expect appearances by Mayor Quinton Lucas and Mayor Pro-Tem Parks-Shaw as well as other dignitaries.
For more information and route map, visit at www.brooksidekc.org.
Belton St. Patrick’s Day Parade, March 15
Belton’s Main Street will hold its St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 15 at 5 p.m.
Previously known as the Wendell T. Ivers parade, entries will line up on 2nd Street behind City Hall, starting at 5 pm. Parade entries are welcome at any time.
“We are real relaxed,” says parade organizer Darin Jones. “Just come up and get in line!”
Grand Marshals for the parade will be KMBC’s Micheal and Linda Mahoney. There are no entry fees, categories, winners, or official line up.
At one time in the parade’s 40-year history, organizers had judges, entry registrations and orderly line up. “Thirteen years ago, when I got involved, we gradually got rid of that,” says Jones. “We just have a good time.”
This year Tara’s Cafe & Malt Shop will be open until 6 pm offering a Reuben sandwich special. Broken Hatchet Brewery will also offer a Reuben special in addition to the release of its new beer Annie’s Irish Red. There will be no food trucks this year thanks to these two merchants.
In 1984 Wendell Ivers worked to launch the parade after closing his business, Dryden’s Drug Store, in Belton. Ivers went door-to-door to local businesses recruiting for an impromptu St. Patrick’s Day parade. Over a dozen businesses lined up to walk down the street, and the tradition has been going ever since.
The parade solicits donations for local charities. For more information, call Darin Jones at 816-419-6508 or visit their Facebook Group, Belton St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Martin City Leaping Leprechauns, March 16
Martin City will be packed with parade-goers and local businesses on Sunday, March 16 at 2 p.m. for the Leaping Leprechauns themed parade. The parade starts at the corner of Washington Street and 135th Street, with entries lining up as early as 11:30 a.m. in front of the State Line Point Shopping Center. It will then proceed east down 135th where it will end at Holmes Road.
First organized in 1987, the event brings in about 20,000 residents, participants, and businesses from all around the south Kansas City area with anywhere from 45 to 60 parade entries.
“Our largest family-fun event of the year in Martin City is the St. Patrick’s Day parade,” says Vickie Wolverton who manages the Martin City Community Improvement District (CID), which sponsors the event. “It’s exciting to see such a big crowd patronize the restaurants and shops before and after the parade.”
Kansas City Sports Commission and Foundation CEO Kathy Nelson will act as Grand Marshal for the parade. Nelson will have her hands full this year mediating the sports stadiums issue. (She may need a little Irish luck.)
Fox4’s own John Holt will be the MC. Rumor has it, Mayor Quinton Lucas will be making an appearance at the festivities as well as some familiar judges that are yet to be confirmed.
Parade entry prizes include a $300 award for first place, a $200 award for second place, and a $100 award for third place. There is no fee to participate. Find more information and registration form at MartinCity.org/st-patricks-parade. For questions, call (816) 308-1023 or email manager@martincity.org.
Kansas City St. Patrick’s Parade, March 17
Still didn’t get enough? Kansas City’s 51st Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade begins at 11 am on Monday, March 17, in the Westport area.
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