Dear Friends,
Below is the
Order of March for the St. Patrick's Day Parade this coming Saturday, March 14, 2015. Copies will also be available on the morning of the Parade at the assembly point at 4th Ave and Jefferson and a one-page copy can also be printed off the Irish Heritage Club website at irishclub.org.
We'd prefer not to make any changes, but if someone anticipates a serious problem, please let us know as soon as possible and we'll try to rearrange things. Loud noises especially bother some of the animal groups while, at the same time, the music and noises made by some groups also add to the general fun of the festivities. But we've tried to accommodate requests to be close to or away from bands / loud noises, to follow certain banners, etc., and hopefully you will be happy with your position assignments. We also rotate the Divisions each year so that those who were last in 2014 should have been moved up in the order in 2015, and vice versa.
On the morning of the Parade, all marching groups should start assembling at 11 am near City Hall Park at 4th Ave. and Jefferson in downtown Seattle, in order to be completely organized in place and ready to go by Noon at the latest. All vehicles must be in place by 11:30 am or you run the risk of 4th Ave been blocked to all traffic and being unable to get through.
The Parade Chair is David Jacobsen and his cell # is 206-412-2960 while mine is 206-387-1970.
At 12:25 PM, following the raising of the Irish flag in front of the King County Administration Building, the
National Anthems of Ireland and the USA will be played by trumpeters from the building parapet.
PLEASE BE ALERT AND NOTIFY YOUR GROUP MEMBERS TO BE RESPECTFUL DURING THE ANTHEMS. If a band member is tuning up at that time, it is easy to miss what's happening elsewhere.
The Parade starts SHARP at 12:30 PM with Grand Marshal Mayor Ed Murray, Galway Mayor Donal Lyons, and Seattle Police Chief Kathleen O'Toole blowing the Starter Whistles. It proceeds north on 4th Ave to Westlake Park where the Reviewing Stand is located.
As you approach the Reviewing Stand, it is particularly important for bands to stop at Pike St to wait for the announcers to introduce you. Otherwise the announcement cannot be heard. A Parade Marshal will beckon you forward once you have been announced.
All performing groups - bands, dancers, drill teams, etc. - are invited to pause and perform for up to one minute in front of the Reviewing Stand.
We also invite you to travel on to the Seattle Center after the Parade to enjoy the Irish Festival - the Monorail offers free travel to the Seattle Center from Westlake between 1:30 - 2:30 pm.
Please don't hesitate to call me on 425-290-7839 or let me know by return email if there are any questions.
Thanks a million to all of you for helping make Seattle's St. Patrick's Day Parade such an enjoyable event. Míle Buíochas, a Thousand Thanks!
Sincerely
John Keane David Jacobsen
Parade Coordinator Parade Chair
