Snow, cold can’t diminish spirits at annual parade
The cold, snowy weather didn’t deter the Irish this year, just as sun and heat hasn’t stopped marchers from participating in the Shamrock Club’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade in years past.
There were still kilts, leprechauns and lots of people in green marching through Downtown Friday, but some of it was hidden under coats, snow-covered umbrellas and overhangs.
The snow kept away some of the spectators, but it didn’t seem to stop any of the marchers. Bands, flagbearers, dancers and more marched through the wet roadways, shouting, “Happy St. Patrick’s Day” and asking onlookers, “Isn’t it a beautiful day?”
Kathy Bryant, one of the lead flag-bearers, bundled up in a thick sweater and a plaid hat, a flag for one of the 32 Irish counties in her hand, ready to march with 31 other flag-bearers from the Shamrock Club. She loved the snow.
“It adds to the atmosphere,” said Bryant, of Grandview.
Big, heavy flakes drifted down as the Irish came out to celebrate their heritage.
Joelea Kelley, 13, of Reynoldsburg, peeked out from under her uncle’s green top hat near St. Patrick’s Catholic Church on North Grant Street before the parade stepped off. She would march in it. The hat was covered in pins, pictures and more.
When her uncle, Ronald Kelley, died years ago, his family promised to make sure the hat and his shillelagh, or wooden walking stick, would march in the parade each year.
Howard French of Hilliard, Ronald Kelley’s nephew, remembers when his uncle made the hat. The green brim was saved from an old hat and the felt top he made himself, French said.
“Always be proud of your heritage, no matter what it is, but especially if it’s Irish,” French said.
The Elliott family from Reynoldsburg, including Abby, 14, Alli, 9 and parents Ken and Sandy, stood near the start of the parade route, which ended at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, where the Shamrock Club hosts an annual “Irish Family Reunion.”
Despite the cold, Abby and Alli were in the St. Patrick’s Day spirit. Hidden under blankets and coats and huddled up against a building, Alli wore a green shirt that read: “This is my lucky shirt” and a green shamrock sticker was just visible on her cheek. Two shamrocks poked up from a headband atop Abby’s hair.
While Ken Elliott is the one with Irish heritage, Sandy Elliott was the most decked-out in green, with a green polka dot scarf around her neck and a green and white, shamrocksequined cowboy hat perched on her head.
“It’s a fun family tradition,” Mrs. Elliott said. “The kids like to come and spend the day with us.”
Mr. and Mrs. Elliott took the day off to spend it with their children. They’ve come for about six years.
“I want them to learn St. Patrick’s Day is a day for celebration,” Mr. Elliott said. “It’s a day for family and a day for fun.”