Join the St. Patrick’s Day Festival this Saturday, March 16, at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for not only the “world’s shortest parade,” but also family fun, free chili dogs and a chance for children to ride on the float with Saint Patrick.
While it may be billed as the world’s shortest parade as it traverses St. Patrick’s parking lot, it’s actually not the world’s smallest parade, as it comprises several Pagosa Springs’ organizations. Leading the parade will be the Aspen House Color Guard, followed by our Magnificent and Marvelous Majorettes, our merry band of bagpipers, and Irish dancers from the Pagosa Springs Dance Academy. The centerpiece of the parade will be St. Patrick’s float, accompanied by any children who wish to celebrate the day by riding on this shamrock-decorated float. Next to proceed will be Pagosa Springs Medical Center’s EMS Team, the Pagosa Fire Protection District’s Engine 3 and one of Elite Recycling and Disposal’s massive trucks. A special parade attraction this year will be the arrival of the iconic Oscar Mayer Wienermobile.
Want to walk in the parade? Bring your leashed dogs, as the parade will conclude with owners and their canine friends bouncing and barking to the melodious bagpipes.
The festival will also include chili dogs and chips for all attendees, 24 local vendor booths, children’s activities, including twirling and Irish dancing instruction, and, of course, Irish coffee and beer for sale. Any profits will be returned to community-focused ministries, including the St. Patrick’s Food Pantry, to which parade visitors are encouraged to donate canned vegetables and fruit, boxed macaroni and cheese, and peanut butter. Used books will be on sale in St. Patrick’s library, as well as fabric from our quilting group.
This event will take place in St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church parking lot at 225 South Pagosa Blvd. Our neighbors, John Paul II Catholic Church and the Pagosa Springs Medical Center, have graciously opened their adjacent parking lots to parade attendees. Handicapped parking will be available in St. Patrick’s main lot.
Snow or shine, this parade will step off at 11:15 Saturday morning and the chili dogs will be ready for all immediately thereafter. So, cloak yourself in your brightest green outfits to join the celebration — and don’t be late: The world’s shortest parade is a fun, but fleeting Pagosa moment.
