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St. Charles St. Patrick's Day Parade draws large crowd; organizers announce winners
Summary
The Saint Charles Business Alliance recapped the St. Patrick's Day Parade and presented awards to community groups and businesses, reporting large attendance and broad community participation.
Susan Stark, events manager at the Saint Charles Business Alliance, told the Saint Charles City Council on April 21 that this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade brought substantial community participation and singled out winners in multiple award categories.
Stark said the opening ceremony began at 11 a.m., with remarks from Sam Barakat, identified in the presentation as the general manager for the parade’s opening-ceremony sponsor, Saint Charles Chrysler Dodge Jeep, and Mayor Vitek. The parade stepped off at 2 p.m. and featured seven bands — including five pipe-and-drum groups and two high school bands — multiple community performers and specialty acts such as BMX riders and a stilt-walking leprechaun.
Stark reported attendance and participation figures she said were recorded for the event: more than 300 people at the opening ceremony, about 150 Shamrock Hunt submissions, more than 80 parade entries and an estimated 35,500 parade spectators. She also said the parade relied on more than 80 volunteers working as marshals, pacers and banner carriers.
Businesses and event sponsors gave positive feedback, Stark said. She paraphrased comments from local business owners, reporting that Flagship and Duke’s had their best days in years and that new visitors came into shops. Craig Larson, identified by Stark as the event chair, joined winners for photographs at the podium.
The Business Alliance presented awards in multiple categories. Third, second and first place winners for the nonprofit showcase were, respectively, Western Irish Setter Club; Knights of Columbus; and Lazarus House. Children’s showcase awards went to Tri City Chargers Football Cheer Association (third), Strykers Fox Valley Soccer Club (second) and Cub Scouts Pack 165 (first). Business showcase winners included Abbott Tree Care Professionals (third), St. Charles Motorcycle Museum and Art Gallery (second) and Chad’s Towing (first). Arcada Theatre received the parade’s Best in Show award.
Stark thanked sponsors, volunteers and the St. Patrick’s planning committee and said the Business Alliance looks forward to next year’s event.
