Monday March 12, 2012
ZEKE WRIGHT
Staff Writer
BENNINGTON -- While Chicago dyes the Chicago River green for its annual parade, the Roaring Branch would not have been convenient, so Bennington swathed Main Street instead during Sunday's St. Patrick's Day Parade.
This was the 17th annual St. Patrick's parade in Bennington and organizers got an early start ahead of the official date March 17, perhaps given the upcoming week's sunny forecast.
Michael Keane was named Grand Marshall of Sunday's parade. A dual citizen of the Republic of Ireland and the United States, Keane and his wife, Edie Sawitsky, settled in Bennington in 2006. "My wife and I have loved it here from the very first," said Keane in a release, and the couple have been involved in various community organizations and the local economic development task force.
Raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., Keane's roots in Ireland include a family farm outside Limerick dating to 1680, and a father who served in the Irish Republican Army.
Spectators began to line Sunday's parade route early -- especially young children, who waved and got a few passing vehicles to honk before the street was closed off -- but as past participants were apt to say, being in the parade is even better than watching. Festivities stepped off at the old middle school at 1 p.m., and marched down to Broad Street.
Green floats entered by civic groups, businesses, and local organizations went by alongside
the Mount Anthony Union High School Marching Band, bagpiper Merrick Hard, and truck after truck from area fire departments. Dancing acts included the Village Twirlettes baton group and the Hill Country Cloggers.
And befitting the year-long celebration, the parade included a slew of young children from Country Corner Daycare, dressed as green dragons on foot and bicycle. Sponsored by the BBC, the parade has taken place in downtown Bennington for the past 12 years after an initial run in the village of North Bennington.
Carmody's Restaurant provided an apt return spot for revelers, and there was the as-advertised "gigantic leprechaun." Owner TJ Carmody has been involved with organizing -- and marching in -- the parade since the beginning.
Restaurants and bars across town hosted live music and specials, including corned beef and cabbage and Irish ales and stouts. On Friday, the Bennington Museum hosted its annual Irish Pub Night.
Next weekend, on Friday, March 16, Doug's on Main Street will hold its Eggs and Kegs fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters. The morning event from 7:30 to 10 a.m. includes a breakfast buffet, the Bartenders' Challenge, and prizes and raffles. WEQX-FM will broadcast live music all morning.
Hoosick Falls, N.Y., holds its own St. Patrick's Day Parade next Saturday, March 17.
@Zeke_Wright on Twitter or ewright@benningtonbanner.com.
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