This is a little late but better late than never...
Every year Meg O'Malley's, our local Irish Pub puts on a multi-day celebration around St. Patrick's Day. This year was no different with various festivities on St. Patrick's Day itself and a parade and more celebrating on Saturday. Below are some pics from the parade:
What would a Saint Patrick's Day parade be with out Saint Patrick himself? For those that don't know, Saint Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland and lived in Ireland in the 5th century. He is regarded as the founder of Christianity in Ireland. March 17th is the supposed day of his death.
Next up are members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. This organization is the oldest and largest Irish-Catholic Organization in the United States. Members must be Catholic and either born in Ireland or of Irish descent (but be or intend to become U.S. citizens). It was founded in New York City in 1836. Separate AOH organizations exist in Canada, Ireland, England, Wales and Scotland.
The next pictures are of the Brevard Police & Fire Pipes & Drums. They are a non-profit organization whose mission is to pay tribute and honor to law enforcement officers and firefighters throughout the State of Florida who are killed in the line of duty.
Also in the parade were representatives of a number of Irish clans...
Next is the Scots-American Society of Brevard. Their purpose is to promote, perpetuate, and encourage the recognition and observance of Scottish and Celtic heritage and traditions in the Brevard County, FL area. They have been around for 39 years.
Here are the Knights of Columbus. They are another Catholic fraternal society and probably the best known. From kofc.org:
"The Knights was formed to render financial aid to members and their families. Mutual aid and assistance are offered to sick, disabled and needy members and their families. Social and intellectual fellowship is promoted among members and their families through educational, charitable, religious, social welfare, war relief and public relief works."
Next came a Navy theme with the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps and a float for Snug Harbor Base. USSVI Snug Harbor Base is an organization for submarine veterans.
Next up were the Sons of Confederate Veterans. From scv.org:
"The SCV is the direct heir of the United Confederate Veterans, and the oldest hereditary organization for male descendants of Confederate soldiers. Organized at Richmond, Virginia in 1896, the SCV continues to serve as a historical, patriotic, and non-political organization dedicated to ensuring that a true history of the 1861-1865 period is preserved.
Membership in the Sons of Confederate Veterans is open to all male descendants of any veteran who served honorably in the Confederate armed forces."
The next pictures are of former New York City firefighters and police. It is Florida and I think there must be some law that says all New Yorkers come here when they retire so an assortment of former firefighters and police officers should not be surprising in the mix :)
The next parade entry was from Our Lady of Lourdes Parish & Catholic School.
Close to the end came the pole dancers. I think this was representing some fitness establishment that teaches pole dancing for fitness purposes.
Finally, what is a parade without a fire truck? And while there were other fire trucks in the parade I don't think any of them could beat the beer/fire truck of Meg O'Malley's.
