Thursday, February 11, 2010

By Rick Winterson

‘Twill be a grand event, it will, it will, from the Chief Marshal’s Banquet to Parade Day itself (Sunday, March 14, 1 p.m.)  Some more volunteers are needed; Parade donations will be greatly appreciated.

Parade planning continues.  At last Wednesday’ meeting in the Ellery Street VFW Post,  Parade Organizer Phil Wuschke, assisted by Wacko Hurley, announced that more than 50 units had been signed up.  The Solar Vehicle from M.I.T. that marched for the first time last year was one of the most recent entries on the 2010 Parade roster. 

Ed Shiflett reported that the Chief Marshal’s Banquet is shaping up well.  It will be held in St. Monica/St. Augustine Hall on the Sunday before the Parade, March 7, starting at 1 p.m.  A very strong head table has been booked, eight tables have already been sold, and the fare will be a sumptuous feast of corned beef and cabbage.

There are a couple of needs that have to be filled before the Parade can be fully organized.  A few more volunteers are needed to assist with the Parade itself on March 14 – around ten people to help out at the staging area near Broadway Square before the Parade begins at 1 p.m.  If you are interested in helping the Parade all come together, please call Tim Duross at (617)269-9266.

The other requirement, of course, is donations to help fund the Parade.  To the best of our knowledge, South Boston’s St. Patrick’s Day/Evacuation Day Parade is the biggest, privately funded parade in the nation.  Over ninety cents of every Parade dollar is raised right here in South Boston.  Please help out.

Already stepping up to the plate is Bayview Liquors, who made a substantial contribution.  So far, other contributors include Parking Supply, Cutting Cl;ub, Dewberry Dogs, Two Opticians, and Murphy’s Jewelers.  Steve Greig and Tim Coady, who is this year’s Parade Chief Marshal, will soon be selling St. Patrick T-shirts along Broadway.  They are long-sleeved for those New England spring chills.