Ronan goes green for St. Patrick’s Day parade
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Ronan was out to paint the town green on Wednesday at the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade.
The crowd, sprinkled with the luck of the Irish and armed with shamrocks waited anxiously for the St. Patrick’s Day parade to start at 5:30 p.m. Whispering in anticipation, the parade’s audience speculated about the presence of the green horse. Last year, the green horse had been a definite crowd pleaser, but with its passing, residents questioned whether or not a green horse would make an appearance.
As the parade began, children and their parents lined the streets armed with bags and rushed to where the candy was thrown from the trucks, vans, buses and, yes, the green horse. A great sigh of relief went through the crowd as the animal — dyed green for the occasion — skittishly made its way down Main Street.
The parade also included various businesses and organizations from Ronan and other towns. The ladies from the Friends of the Ronan City Library were situated atop of their much anticipated bookworm float. The Ronan Telephone Company sported an antique truck with a gigantic cake in the bed. The Irish dessert was made from cable rails, telephone spools, chicken wire and napkins. Four Irish ladies from Hot Springs and a blushing “Miss Ireland” rode down Main Street in a 1963 green Volkswagen Beetle, waving and throwing candy from their convertible.
The Valley Club sported a float complete with a swing on the side and a few happy dancers, dancing on the makeshift dance floor. As part of his campaign for sheriff, Art Walgren traversed the parade-way in front of an old bus and promised the people of Ronan hot dogs in the park after the festivities.
The Ronan Volunteer Fire Department wrapped up the parade by driving their equipment down Main Street and throwing the last bits of candy out the window to the eager children.
Though as festive as ever, the St. Patrick’s Day parade was missing a crucial element — Dick Jungers. Jungers, who passed away this year, organized the parade every year along with Kevin Templer and Carlene Bockman. The three started the parade in 1990 with two floats and have watched it grow ever since.
“The Ronan Irish Community would like to thank all the great entries in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade held this year in memory of Dick Jungers,” Bockman said. “He would have been delighted with the efforts of all of you and not only the participants, but the crowd who came to watch.”
For those who were looking for a little bit of Irish luck, the bars were open into the night, ensuring Lake County citizens the opportunity to celebrate their Irish roots and enjoy a beer or two with friends.
The winners of the St. Patrick’s Day parade are as follows:
Best Commercial Float – Ronan Telephone Co.
Most Shamrocks — K.D.’s Valley Club
Most Original — Pioneer Days Company
Best Kid's Float — Ronan Library
Best Irish Music — Ronan Power Products
Best Irish Attire — Arnie’s Gas and Tire
Best Walkers — Girl Scouts
Best 1st Timers — ACE Hardware
Most Irish Animal — Denny Palmer’s Horse, led by Kay Palmer and Dave Palmer
Most Likely to Spend the Night in Jail – Dottie’s Volkswagen Bug
Most Likely to Cause a Riot – O’Leary’s Old Ladies
Best of Parade – Dick Has Gone Fishing Again.
