30A St Patrick's Day parade and celebration

**Lake Eastern** · 03-13-2009, 06:17 AM

There was a great segment on WMBB this morning with the guy from 30A TV and Wayne Gentry re the 2nd annual St Patrick's Day Parade and Celebration.

**SWGB** · 03-13-2009, 12:55 PM

It's not a huge article, but it's nice to see something other than car accidents being covered.

wmbb.com - Grayton Beach - St. Patrick’s Day Parade on 30a

**scooterbug44** · 03-13-2009, 01:15 PM

T minus 24 hours until the Parade!

**DuneLaker** · 03-13-2009, 02:23 PM

Where are some good places to watch?

**SWGB** · 03-13-2009, 03:09 PM

The most populated place seemed to be the BMB area last year. However there's plenty of space along the side of the road from 83 to 283.

**scooterbug44** · 03-13-2009, 07:12 PM

bumpity-bumpity!

woo-hoo parade tomorrow!

**incredible1** · 03-13-2009, 09:09 PM

Promote your business or just decorate a vehicle and have some fun !

Its not too late to enter the parade, just print the registration form and bring it with you (completed) NOTE: As a late entry, you will need to be at the staging point at Gulf Place by 1.15pm to be allowed to enter

2nd Annual 30a St Patricks Parade

Best places to view - crowded but near judges table and Johnny McTighes and Sallys
Uncrowded - Redfish Village, Gult Trace and along near the Preserve and Sanctuary

**Jennifer Steele** · 03-14-2009, 09:46 AM

Rain or shine????

**Teresa** · 03-15-2009, 07:25 AM

Originally Posted by scooterbug44

bumpity-bumpity!

woo-hoo parade tomorrow!

parade report with pix pleeeeeze along with assorted commentary from paraders and paradees.

**Smiling JOe** · 03-15-2009, 10:26 AM

I still don't understand why people celebrate St Patrick's Day three days before St Patrick's Day. I didn't even read this thread until today. I saw the Stinky's Fish Camp float go through Grayton yesterday, with a small sign which read, "Lake Place opening soon!" I thought that was a genius way to announce it, though my friend said it must be the St Patrick's Day parade float. Very strange that it is celebrated on the weekend rather than the St Patrick's Day. I don't do other holiday's on the weekend if the actual holiday falls on a weekday, and I am not about to start doing this one.

**ShallowsNole** · 03-15-2009, 11:34 AM

Could it be because St. Patty's is not a national holiday, and the vast majority of us have to work?

btw, I missed it too - pics?

**SWGB** · 03-15-2009, 11:44 AM

Originally Posted by Smiling JOe

I still don't understand why people celebrate St Patrick's Day three days before St Patrick's Day. I didn't even read this thread until today. I saw the Stinky's Fish Camp float go through Grayton yesterday, with a small sign which read, "Lake Place opening soon!" I thought that was a genius way to announce it, though my friend said it must be the St Patrick's Day parade float. Very strange that it is celebrated on the weekend rather than the St Patrick's Day. I don't do other holiday's on the weekend if the actual holiday falls on a weekday, and I am not about to start doing this one.

Get over yourself.

**Teresa** · 03-15-2009, 11:52 AM

Originally Posted by Smiling JOe

I still don't understand why people celebrate St Patrick's Day three days before St Patrick's Day. I didn't even read this thread until today. I saw the Stinky's Fish Camp float go through Grayton yesterday, with a small sign which read, "Lake Place opening soon!" I thought that was a genius way to announce it, though my friend said it must be the St Patrick's Day parade float. Very strange that it is celebrated on the weekend rather than the St Patrick's Day. I don't do other holiday's on the weekend if the actual holiday falls on a weekday, and I am not about to start doing this one.

I hear ya. and totally agree. but SN has a good point- we aren't off work on St Patty's Day - so if you are going to do a parade, it has to be on the weekend. either way, participation may not be as good as it could be. oh well. I'm not particularly into celebrating St Patty's Day ahead of time or at all, but I hope those that did had a blast! also, its just a good excuse for the community to come together, especially these days!

**SWGB** · 03-15-2009, 11:55 AM

It was discussed by the Parade committee and agreed that to do it on a weekday would exclude those working and kids who have school. It was a great time. Pics and video forthcoming.

Congratulations to Stinky's Fish Camp for winning the trophy.

Also thanks to Niles for awarding the 56 cars behind the parade honorable mention.

**Allifunn** · 03-15-2009, 12:28 PM

Originally Posted by sowalgayboi

Also thanks to Niles for awarding the 56 cars behind the parade honorable mention.

did he sing again? He left the other night before I could tell him I was impressed by his rendention of "House of the rising sun"

**30A Skunkape** · 03-15-2009, 10:25 PM

St Patrick's day is celebrated on a weekend when required because it is a drinking holiday. Beer, cabbage, corned beef, more beer...having a community observance on a weekend is understandable.

**rapunzel** · 03-16-2009, 12:00 AM

And perhaps we should all aspire to this sort of celebration --

But Rome wasn't built in a day, but maybe someday it will be signature event worthy of taking the day off on the 17th.

**Miss Kitty** · 03-16-2009, 05:48 AM

Skunky is correct. There is a big parade in Dallas on...GREENville Ave. every year on the Saturday before St. Patrick's Day. Lots of drunks.

Punz...love that pic!

swgb...

did anyone take pics of the faces of those 56 drivers?

**Beach Runner** · 03-16-2009, 06:04 AM

Al Roker just said that our President, Barack O'Bama, is Irish.

**30A Skunkape** · 03-16-2009, 06:59 AM

Originally Posted by Beach Runner

Al Roker just said that our President, Barack O'Bama, is Irish.

He is a good Irishman like Shaquille O'Neal

**Beach Runner** · 03-16-2009, 07:22 AM

Originally Posted by 30A Skunkape

He is a good Irishman like Shaquille O'Neal

Actually he is 3% Irish!
Today Show Video Player

**scooterbug44** · 03-16-2009, 08:47 AM

Obviously having the parade on the actual day is preferable - but it's sort of hard to have a parade to promote local businesses on a workday and there aren't as many kids to delight on a school day.

Oddly enough, I still managed to have a GREAT time and bring joy to hundreds of people even though it wasn't on the actual day.

**Smiling JOe** · 03-16-2009, 09:01 AM

I'm not picking solely on the local parade, here. I know that most of the major cities have their St Patrick's Day parade on Sat, even when the actual day falls on the weekday or Sunday. Heaven forbid it fall on a Sunday and the Catholics have it interfere with Church.

I fully disagree with the reason for celebrating it on a Saturday being that kids can celebrate it. It is a drinking holiday. Go to any of the large celebrations and tell me how many kids you see celebrating.

I do understand that more people will show up if it is done on a weekend, typically, unless it is in an area like SoWal where the majority of people work in the service industry, with Saturday being one of the busiest days of the week.

Glad you green people had fun, but I'm wearing my green tomorrow.

**Seaside Events** · 03-16-2009, 09:45 AM

Check out "Shamrocks in the Square," Seaside's official St. Patrick's Day celebration on Tuesday, March 17th!

Shamrocks in the Square

**scooterbug44** · 03-16-2009, 09:56 AM

Originally Posted by Smiling JOe

I fully disagree with the reason for celebrating it on a Saturday being that kids can celebrate it. It is a drinking holiday. Go to any of the large celebrations and tell me how many kids you see celebrating.

Every holiday is what you make of it - which is why this parade was a PG rated mid-afternoon family affair w/ bagpipers, fire trucks, balloons, leprechauns, goofy hats, horses, dogs dressed up, 3 generations participating etc.

Seriously, it was a fun local event to make people happy and promote the area - why does that piss you off so much?

**aggieb** · 03-16-2009, 09:58 AM

top o' the mornin' to ya!

**Smiling JOe** · 03-16-2009, 10:01 AM

I'm not pissed off. I am just voicing my opinion. I think holidays are so watered down from their original intent and meaning, and this fits right in. Without wikipedia-ing it, tell me something about St Patrick. I guarantee you that 98%+ of Americans who celebrate it, have no idea, they just want to party.

**Purvis** · 03-16-2009, 10:11 AM

Smiling Joe.........why rain on their parade?

**Smiling JOe** · 03-16-2009, 10:20 AM

I'm just offering one person's honest opinion. My intention isn't with hatred. I'm sure there are hundreds of people who could care less, and enjoy the parade on Saturday.

DD · 03-16-2009, 10:42 AM

Originally Posted by Miss Kitty

Skunky is correct. There is a big parade in Dallas on...GREENville Ave. every year on the Saturday before St. Patrick's Day. Lots of drunks.

Punz...love that pic!

swgb...

did anyone take pics of the faces of those 56 drivers?

Lord have mercy. Mr. dd and I attended that parade when we were still just dating--many moons ago. I can't even look at green beer. Never ever again.
I still swear I was drugged.

**Teresa** · 03-16-2009, 06:42 PM

Happy Drinking Green Beer & Other Stuff Day everybody! and Happy St Patty's Day too!!! see ya down at Shamrocks in the Square at Seaside. get ready to partay!

**incredible1** · 03-18-2009, 01:03 PM

Originally Posted by Smiling JOe

I still don't understand why people celebrate St Patrick's Day three days before St Patrick's Day. I didn't even read this thread until today. I saw the Stinky's Fish Camp float go through Grayton yesterday, with a small sign which read, "Lake Place opening soon!" I thought that was a genius way to announce it, though my friend said it must be the St Patrick's Day parade float. Very strange that it is celebrated on the weekend rather than the St Patrick's Day. I don't do other holiday's on the weekend if the actual holiday falls on a weekday, and I am not about to start doing this one.

The 30aParade was started to support the local 30a businesses, give them a free way to promote their business and give residents and visitors a fun few hours to celebrate St Patricks Day.
St Patricks is is a date related event, this year, falling on a Tuesday.
While we would love to hold it on the actual St Patricks Day, no one wants to watch a parade with 3 floats in it, and most locals do have workweek jobs, schools which means taking a day off (not likely) or missing the parade.
Its first and foremost a "locals" event, so making it a success for locals is a priority, which is why the parade is on the weekend. Each year we have had very positive responses from the visitors who have been able to enjoy a locals event.
It was a delight to see the kids faces when they watched this year. THIS Parade was designed to be for everyone. Not a drunk fest. If someone wants to do that they can do it AFTER the parade in a suitable establishment.
If it ever did get to that level, I want nothing to do with it and it would be time to call it quits.

I am always disappointed and saddened when I hear that a local would make it a special point of not supporting a community event, 30a is all about inclusion not exclusion. The intent is to stimulate local business and entertain at the same time. I fail to see why thats not an honorable intention worthy of support
Hopefully one day you might change your mind.

The good news is that 2012 will have the date proper. Maybe you can find time then

For videos and photos of the parade
www.30aparade.com

**scooterbug44** · 03-18-2009, 05:30 PM

Apparently there is a Resolution 317 that would make St. Patrick's Day a Nat'l Holiday - and has over 500K signatures so far!

Amazing the things you can learn while watching the TV Guide channel to see what's on!