T’Was A Nip In The Eire For Revelers Bagpipers Break Trail Through Snowy Parade Route

Weatherwise, Spokane’s Irish ran out of luck.

A nonstop snowstorm dumped more than 2 inches of snow on the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade Saturday. The usual crowd of 140,000 diminished to less than a quarter of that as temperatures dipped into the 20s.

“This was suppose to be a kickoff to spring,” said Laura Hogan of Spokane.

Yet, despite the bitter cold and slippery sidewalks, the parade went on. Not even bad weather could dampen Irish spirits.

“I feel like I’m going Christmas shopping,” said Spokane resident Nancy Toombs as white flakes fell on her dark hair. “But since there aren’t as many people here, that means more beer for us.”

More than 165 floats and organizations took part in the annual shenanigan, an event that usually attracts more people than Bloomsday, organizers say.

For an hour and a half, men in kilts played bagpipes. Glover Middle School’s drill team marched and danced around in shorts. Even a dog dyed green walked the entire parade route.

Non-Irish folk also took part: the Easter Bunny, the Gonzaga bulldog, the Sons of Italy with their leaning tower of Pisa - hundreds of people who decided to be Irish for a day.

“We didn’t think anyone would come,” said Bill Flanigan, president of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, the group that has organized the parade for the past 19 years. “But look at the crowd! It may be snowing but it’s still lots of fun.”

The Irish, after all, have always been an optimistic bunch, said Mike Cannon, this year’s Irish Man of the Year.

Meanwhile, spectators with green hair and shamrocks painted on their cheeks huddled together beneath awnings and department store fronts as they clapped and waved to parade participants. Some came prepared with thick blankets, lawn chairs, garbage bags and umbrellas.

Others simply braved the elements - standing on the sidewalk for at least an hour with nothing more than a coat, a green hat and a “Kiss Me I’m Irish” pin.

Still others planned ahead by standing on a skywalk and watching the parade from above. Early birds showed up at 9 a.m. to save window seats at restaurants along the parade route.

“This is tradition,” said Ken Pentas, as he and his wife, Kathie, drank green beer in a warm, but crowded Fort Spokane Brewery.

Spokane, a city where nearly a quarter of the population is of Irish descent, has always been keen on the annual parade, Cannon said.

“Spokane is like Ireland,” he said. “The men are handsome and the girls are pretty. People always walk down the street and say hello.” , DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo