Seeing Green St. Patrick’s Day Parade Just Gets Bigger And Better

If the previous 16 parades are any indicator, the organizers of Spokane’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade must be doing something right.

“We’ve never had it rain yet, not even if it rained the day before and the day after,” says parade chairman Bill Flanigan. “St. Patrick must be watching out for us.”

Crowds, at least, will definitely be watching. Flanigan estimates Saturday’s noontime parade will attract 125,000 spectators, Irish or not.

“We’re still second, but we’re getting close to the Lilac Parade,” he says.

There were other St. Patrick’s Day parades in the Lilac City before the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick started theirs in 1979. A small parade in 1952 was followed by a revival in 1964, but it failed to stick around as a tradition.

Fifteen years later, the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick formed. The group was created not just to throw a one-day bash, but to act as an Irish cultural and philanthropic society all year long.

Every year the Friendly Sons donate parade revenue to non-profit groups. This year, proceeds will go to the Spokane Fire Department and city Police Department COPS program. Volunteers representing the COPS substations are raising money by selling parade T-shirts, too. Those shirts are already on sale at all COPS substations.

“People don’t realize where the money we raise goes, and they don’t realize we do things all year,” Flanigan says.

Doing things all year undoubtedly has something to do with the continued growth of the parade since 1979. With a permanent organization in place, it’s a lot easier to maintain an annual event.

This year, 125 entries are registered to tour the downtown parade route. Mickey and Minnie Mouse, making appearances as grand marshals courtesy of Cox Cable, certainly won’t hurt attendance any. The presence of the world’s most famous rodents is in keeping with the parade’s theme of family fun.

“We’re getting more into the family spirit and less into alcohol,” Flanigan says. “People used to think of us as a drinking parade, and it’s not that way anymore.”

To that end, there will no alcoholic beverages allowed along the route. That wasn’t always the case in the parade’s previous incarnations. In 1964 the parade’s caboose was a beer truck (although those folks weren’t so lucky weather-wise: Records show that year’s paraders got sloshed in the meteorological sense).

Also, for kids’ safety, parade organizers are emphasizing to participants that no candy, fliers or anything else can be thrown to the crowd from floats or other vehicles.

“People can walk alongside handing out things, but nothing can be thrown,” Flanigan says.

Those who still want to take in some emerald suds while they dine and watch the parade, though, can do so at restaurants lining the route.

O’Doherty’s will have live bagpipe and folk music. Eats include Irish stew, corned beef sandwiches, and corned beef and cabbage specials all day. As always, Irish Harp and Guiness beers are on tap.

Cyrus O’Leary’s has had corned beef and cabbage specials all week, along with an abundance of green brew. Bagpipers will make appearances all day Saturday.

The Onion will feature a Dixieland band after the parade from 2 to 5 p.m., with occasional bagpiper appearances. Irish coffee, an Onion staple, and corned beef sandwiches will be highlighted. They’ve also expanded their selection of beer just for the occasion, including Guiness, Harp and Hale’s Irish.

Cucina! Cucina! isn’t a place you’re likely to associate with leprechauns, but you might spot a few stopping in for some Italian java the morning of the parade. The restaurant’s espresso counter, usually closed on weekends, will open at 9 a.m.

Despite recent road work near the Crescent Court building on Wall Street, the parade route remains unchanged. The event itself doesn’t start until noon, but street access to downtown will be closed starting at 10 a.m. Streets should re-open shortly after the parade concludes around 1 p.m.

Green apparel is strongly recommended, especially for those wishing to avoid any unwanted pinching.

Will the unbroken record of clear skies hold true for the Friendly Sons this year?

Flanigan thinks the streak will continue, but he’s cautious not to speak on behalf of St. Patrick.

“It looks good, but I’m not making any promises,” he says, laughing.

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with story: Spokane’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade begins at noon and lasts about an hour. Mickey and Minnie Mouse are grand marshals. Parade route is same as last year: south on Washington to Main, north on Stevens, west along Spokane Falls Boulevard, south on Wall to Main, then down Post.