3/11/2010 - West Side Leader
By Kathleen Folkerth
DOWNTOWN AKRON — The luck of the Irish will shine down on the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank at Akron’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
This year, organizers planned a theme of “Everybody ‘Can’ Go Green,” for which they are asking that parade-goers bring a nonperishable food item for the Foodbank.
The parade will take place March 13 at noon. The route is along South Main Street beginning at Cedar Street and ending at Bowery Street.
Parade Chairman Leo Stalter, of New Franklin, said this is the 29th year for the parade, which is organized by the Mark Heffernan and Margaret Judge divisions of the Ancient Order of Hibernians.
Stalter said receptacles will be placed along the parade route for Foodbank donations. He added the organization was happy to be highlighted for this year’s event.
About 100 units will appear in this year’s parade, Stalter added. New participants include Tracy McCool, of WJW-TV, the Summa Health System Honor Guard, Sharon Rae Dancers and members of the Dragon Dream Team.
Special Olympics athletes from the Akron area also are slated to appear, he said.
Making their first parade appearances will be the 2009 Hamburger Festival Queen and her court, as well as the winners of the Baby Burger contest at last summer’s National Hamburger Festival.
Returning to the parade this year will be the Archbishop Hoban High School Bagpipe Corps, Stalter said. The St. Vincent-St. Mary High School Marching Band also is set to appear, he added.
Other favorites scheduled to participate are the Irish Wolfhounds of Northeast Ohio. Other Irish-themed participants are the Celtic Guards Hurling Team, the Irish Language Class, Irish “C” Charters and the MacConmara Irish Dancers.
The Rubber City Model “A” Club members also will appear with their antique autos, weather permitting, Stalter said.
Depending on the weather, organizers expect anywhere from 7,000 to 10,000 spectators at the annual parade, Stalter said.
Following the parade, awards will be given out at Lock 3 Park. The revelry will continue at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 2055 Glenmount Ave. in South Akron, with a party open to all with a $5 cover charge.
For more information on the parade, call Stalter at 330-882-3174.
