Show your Irish pride at the 32nd Annual Brookside St. Patrick’s Warm-Up Parade on Saturday, March 10 at 2 p.m. in the Brookside Shopping District. In the spirit of Leap Year, this year’s theme for the parade is “Leaping Leprechauns.”
More than 100 organizations representing groups and families of all ages participate in this fun, family-oriented event. Parade entries march or ride in a variety of vehicles from red wagons to floats to classic cars. Entries include bands such as the Mid-America Freedom Marching Band, drill teams, two groups of Irish dancers, the Jackson County Sheriff Mounted Patrol, and dogs of all shapes and sizes including Irish Setters, Basset Hounds, Great Danes and O’Weiner dogs.
Grab the St. Pat's Mailer and Coupons PDF
Each year, parade organizers name one couple “Mr. and Mrs. Irish.” For the 2012 parade, this couple is Bob and Darlene Drummond. Bob’s father opened Drummond Cleaners, back in 1919 when J.C. Nichols built the north side of 63rd Street, at Brookside Boulevard. Bob has many fond memories of growing up in the Brookside area, just a few blocks from the cleaners.
Bob and one of his three brothers, took over the business and ran it successfully until 1996 when they sold it to enjoy retirement; Bob and Darlene now enjoy spending time golfing and traveling. As far as Irish heritage, Bob declares himself, “a little bit of Scott/Irish.”
The 32nd Annual Brookside St. Patrick’s Warm-Up Parade route runs through the Brookside shopping district along 63rd Street from Wornall to Main. The parade lasts approximately one and a half hours and is sponsored by the Brookside Business Association and the Kansas City Neighborhood Tourism Fund.
About Brookside Business Association
Brookside, a charming neighborhood in the heart of Kansas City, was originally planned and built in 1920, becoming the city’s first suburban shopping area. Today, Brookside is home to more than 80 shops, restaurants and services, all unique and in keeping with the original neighborhood charm and architecture.
The Brookside Business Association is a voluntary organization whose purpose is to create and preserve a pleasant surrounding for conducting business in Brookside. Located between Wornall and Main Street from 62nd Terrace to Meyer Blvd., Brookside is only minutes from the Plaza, Leawood, South Kansas City and many other Kansas City attractions. Visit www.brooksidekc.org for more information.