2008 Parade:
Kansas City's 35th Annual St. Patrick's Day parade celebration makes its mark as one of the largest and most notable parade celebrations of all things Irish in the United States. On this day, the emerald green wave of floats, leprechauns, and Lucky Charms heads down the middle of the city, turning everyone along the way just a wee bit Irish.
Kansas City's 35th Annual St. Patrick's Day parade celebration makes its mark as one of the largest and most notable parade celebrations of all things Irish in the United States. On this day, the emerald green wave of floats, leprechauns, and Lucky Charms heads down the middle of the city, turning everyone along the way just a wee bit Irish.
History :
The first St. Patrick’s Day celebrations stem back to 19th Century Kansas City— as the Irish population exploded so did their parades. However, after many years of glory, the parade fizzled in the late 1800’s and the grand celebrations seized.
The first St. Patrick’s Day celebrations stem back to 19th Century Kansas City— as the Irish population exploded so did their parades. However, after many years of glory, the parade fizzled in the late 1800’s and the grand celebrations seized.
Mike Murphy to the Rescue:
In 1973, knowing that Kansas Citians were always up for some sort of party, Kansas City’s favorite talk show host, Mike Murphy, and his pals Pat O’Neill and Dan Hoggerty “resurrected” the Irish Parade over drinks at Hoggerty’s local watering hole downtown. The ‘73 version consisted of a painted green calf and was billed “the shortest and worst parade” in history. Since then a lot has changed (over 500,000 watched in '05) making it one of the biggest St. Patrick’s Day parades in the country.
In 1973, knowing that Kansas Citians were always up for some sort of party, Kansas City’s favorite talk show host, Mike Murphy, and his pals Pat O’Neill and Dan Hoggerty “resurrected” the Irish Parade over drinks at Hoggerty’s local watering hole downtown. The ‘73 version consisted of a painted green calf and was billed “the shortest and worst parade” in history. Since then a lot has changed (over 500,000 watched in '05) making it one of the biggest St. Patrick’s Day parades in the country.
2008 Theme: This year’s theme is 'Growing Up Irish',” a fitting tribute to the 35th year of the parade. This year, KC Coffeeman Danny O'Neil will
be Grand Marshall and oversee the parade.
Parade Time and Route Info :
Monday, March 17th, 2008 (St. Patrick's Day) from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm. The Parade starts at the corner of Pershing Rd. and Main Street. It then proceeds East on Pershing to Grand Blvd., and continues North on Grand Blvd. to Truman Road. For a detailed map, click here.
Monday, March 17th, 2008 (St. Patrick's Day) from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm. The Parade starts at the corner of Pershing Rd. and Main Street. It then proceeds East on Pershing to Grand Blvd., and continues North on Grand Blvd. to Truman Road. For a detailed map, click here.
Television:
The 2008 St. Patrick’s Day Celebration is broadcast live on KMBC Channel 9. Famous TV Irish-anchorman Larry Moore hosts.
The 2008 St. Patrick’s Day Celebration is broadcast live on KMBC Channel 9. Famous TV Irish-anchorman Larry Moore hosts.
Great Big Floats:
In addition to the traditional parade floats, the 2008 St. Patrick's Day Parade features giant Irish themed balloons similar to those you see at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade.
In addition to the traditional parade floats, the 2008 St. Patrick's Day Parade features giant Irish themed balloons similar to those you see at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade.
Just a "Wee" Tip:
Make sure you stay on the same side of the parade as where you parked. If you park on the West side and end up watching the parade on the East, you’re in some serious trouble. You can’t cross over, so you’ll have to walk all the way back to the starting or ending point to get back to your car. Trust me—it happened to me in 2004! In recent years, the parade committee has thrown up a bunch of barricades, making it next to impossible to jump across…just in case you thought that might work.
Make sure you stay on the same side of the parade as where you parked. If you park on the West side and end up watching the parade on the East, you’re in some serious trouble. You can’t cross over, so you’ll have to walk all the way back to the starting or ending point to get back to your car. Trust me—it happened to me in 2004! In recent years, the parade committee has thrown up a bunch of barricades, making it next to impossible to jump across…just in case you thought that might work.
Parking:
Get there early, parking downtown is scarce due to all the regentrification and the Sprint center construction fiasco.
Get there early, parking downtown is scarce due to all the regentrification and the Sprint center construction fiasco.
O’Happenings Elsewhere: There are plenty of Irish celebrating before, during and way after the parade. Check out my St. Patty's Day Drinks for ideas.
