30A St Patricks Day Parade & Festival Returns to Gulf Place Mar 12

[SoWal Staff]

The 9th Annual 30A St Patrick's Day Parade and Festival is coming up Saturday, March 12 in South Walton, Fla. The local parade along Scenic 30A will join the day's celebration in the Gulf Place amphitheater. Festivities will include Celtic rock bands, food and drink, and activities for the whole family.

Everyone's Irish for a day! What a great day to be green in SoWal. Come out to take part in the largest St. Patrick's celebration of its kind on the Emerald Coast of Florida. Tickets are now on sale on the 30A St Patrick's Parade and Festival website. Proceeds from the event will benefit Fore Her, an excellent local organization supporting women with breast cancer.

The St. Patrick's Day Parade begins at 1:00 p.m. east of Redfish Village on Scenic 30A and heads west to Gulf Place. The St. Patrick's Day Festival kicks off at 2:00 p.m. and lasts through 8:00 p.m. The parade route heads west on Scenic Highway 30A (between Grayton Beach and Hwy 83 in Blue Mountain Beach) for 4 miles ending at Gulf Place where the festivities continue. This year's Grand Marshal is... stay tuned!

The parade expects a record number of floats and parade entries, in all shapes and sizes. The Best in Parade trophy is up for grabs for the best decorated cars, trucks or floats.

Following the parade, kids will enjoy entertainment in the "wee folk" area and costume prizes for fairy princesses and pirates will be up for grabs. Children are also welcome to participate in "Pot O' Gold" treasure hunts, face painting and more.

Festival goers can purchase commemorative T shirts, experience arts and crafts, including knitted jewelry, blacksmithing, wood carving and face painting, all while enjoying a variety of food and drinks.

Live Celtic entertainment will continue throughout the day with several bands paying tribute to Irish jigs and tunes as well as rock, bluegrass, punk and folk. Irish born lead singer Eoin McCarthy and Whiskey of the Damned Celtic rock band is making a special tour stop in SoWal for the Festival. Already likened to "The Pogues" this band is sure to rock Gulf Place with their raucus range of Irish music. Whiskey of the Damned takes the stage at 2:30 p.m. and returns later in the evening to close out the Festival.

Parade
The St. Patrick's Day Parade begins at 1:00 p.m. Starting at The Preserve east of Redfish Village and heading west to Gulf Place. Start lineup at noon

Festival & Music
The St. Patrick's Day Festival begins at 2:00 p.m. in Gulf Place
Gulf Place Green: "Wee Folk" Princess Tea Party, Pirates Den — costume contests, and Adventure area. 2:00 p.m.
Pet Pawty costume contest 3:00 p.m.

Live music all day/night starting at 2:30 p.m. and going through 8:00 p.m.
John Sheckler on dulcimer performing a range of tunes
Whiskey of the Damned Celtic Rock Band
Drake School of Irish Music


Tickets for the 30A St. Patrick's Day Festival begin at $10 for adults, $5 for kids and $22.50 (or $40/couple) for VIP Whiskey/Beer tasting and are available now, along with a full schedule of events, at www.30afestival.com.

Proceeds benefit Alaqua Animal Refuge and Fore Her. Fore Her is a charity that provides financial support for local women battling breast cancer. Alaqua Animal Refuge is a no-kill animal sanctuary and adoption center located in Freeport, Florida. The refuge has placed more than 11,000 animals of all kinds since its inception in 2007.

Visit 30afestival.com to register for the parade! The parade is free and open to all. Also, please support this wonderful community festival and consider becoming a sponsor, vendor or volunteer.

Parade registration.

http://sowal.com/photos/30a-st-patricks-day-parade-festival-2015-photos
See SoWal Photo Gallery from St Patrick's Day Parade & Festival 2015!

 

[Teresa]

Thanks to the 30A St Patrick's Day Parade & Festival team for sending in this update...

30A St Patrick's Day Parade Grand Marshal Announced!

Honoring Staff Sgt Aaron Hale as Grand Marshal at 9th Annual St Patrick's Parade and Festival.

On December 8, 2011, Staff Sergeant Hale, an EOD technician, was severely injured in Afghanistan when an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated. Every bone in SSG Hale’s face was broken, he suffered severe burns, and was left completely blind. He served a tour in Iraq and two tours in Afghanistan. SSG Hale’s unit completed 1,100 counter-IED missions, destroying more than 20,000 pounds of enemy explosives.

SSG Hale, a Purple Heart recipient, estimates he disabled as many as 50 explosive devices during his last tour in Afghanistan. Since being injured, Aaron has conquered many mountains, including climbing Mount Mariposa in the Peruvian Andes with the veterans group, Soldiers to Summits. Aaron also enjoys kayaking, white water rapid riding, and has run four marathons.

Staff Sgt Aaron Hale said, "Since my injury, I have chosen a very public life of speaking, advocating, and generally participating in in events in the hopes that I can motivate and inspire others. While I don't normally take recognition for recognition sake, this event sounds like a great time and cause."

The 30A St Patrick's parade expects a record number of floats and parade entries, in all shapes and sizes. The parade begins at 1.00pm Saturday March 12th on Florida Scenic Highway 30a and heads 4 miles west, ending at Gulf Place, where the festivities continue at 2pm.. The event will entertain the kids with the "wee folk" area containing costume prizes for fairy princesses and pirates, along with "Pot O' Gold" treasure hunts, face painting and much more.

"I could not be more proud and grateful than to have a veteran as our Grand Marshal. said Paul Vizard, event founder. We have had many distinguished guests as Grand Marshal but since the event inception have always wanted to honor our military. This area has a great community, and I cant wait to see the streets lined in support of Aaron."

Proceeds benefit Fore Her 501c breast cancer charity. The Best in Parade perpetual trophy is up for grabs for the best decorated cars trucks or floats. Festival goers can purchase commemorative T shirts, experience arts and crafts, and of course a variety of food and drinks. A few sponsor spots, vendor table and tent spaces are still available, and businesses are encouraged to be a sponsor, details at www.stpatricks30a.com

Entry to the parade is free, and festival ticket prices begin at - $10 for adults, kids are $5 each and VIP $22.50 each, kids under 4 and military id are free. Each entry gets swag and one complimentary beverage. VIP get a plate of corned beef and cabbage, beverage, preferred seating and swag. Tickets available now at www.stpatricks30a.com or at Redds Fueling Station, McTighes Irish Pub, Perfect pig, Sunrise Coffee on 30a.

 

[Teresa]

SoWal.com home page story | 30A St Patrick's Day Parade & Festival Returns to Gulf Place Mar 12 featuring photo galleries from 2014.