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March 8, 2014 - St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Royal Oak

The Norman O’Brien Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians hosted the 13th St Patrick’s Day Parade, a wee bit early, in Royal Oak on Saturday, March 8. Detroit Metro Mashup hadn’t been to this event before, so we donned some green apparel, charged up the camera batteries, and headed to Royal Oak for the 11:30 AM parade. We didn’t make it in time for the Lucky Dash, which inaugurates the event at 10:45 AM, but that would have just made us self-conscious about our lack of exercise anyway. It was tough enough just seeing all the lean numbered runners trotting around downtown before and during the parade!

The Luck Dash is a 5K race that began near the I-696 service drive and Washington Street that goes to Catalpa Avenue before reversing back to the starting point. It wears me out just typing about it. Immediately thereafter the parade began. Steve Zannetti was the parade chairperson and he estimated about 65 different groups and organizations would be participating. We stayed for the whole parade, camera hands numbing in the chill breeze, and enjoyed a color guard, the Detroit Shrine Highlanders with their bagpipes, drums and colors, the Ancient Order of Hibernians with their decked out float/bus, someone in a green suit, bowler, and shoe skates (leprechaun?), the Royal Oak Mayor and City Commission strolling along like they run the place, several Irish family clans, the “All Dogs Play Group,” and the Royal Oak Fire Department.

We took pictures of most of the participants, so check out our photos (above) and try out the slide show feature. We finally thawed out hands out after the parade with burgers and Cokes at Little Bros., which is always a fun place to go and sit shoulder to shoulder with others who are enjoying Royal Oak. We had fun at the parade and urge you to give it a top o’ the mornin’ next year.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Royal Oak
Royal Oak Middle School
709 N. Washington Ave.
Royal Oak, MI 48067

Royal Oak City Website - www.romi.gov

The Norman O'Brien Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians

Race information - www.luckydash.com