Another year of St. Patrick's Parades for Baton Rouge, LA have come and gone. To read the headline of our local paper you would have thought that it was a totally disastrous year. It was a poor choice of headlines in my opinion.
There was, unfortunately, a parade accident this year which everyone hates. However, the weather was perfect, Denis Coffey from Ireland was outstanding as Grand Marshal, the Caledonian Pipers were wonderful, dignitaries showed up, there were wonderful regular and Commercial floats. This year Mockler Beverage Budweiser once again was our major sponsor. New to our list was Raising Canes, Keller Williams Realty, Churchills and Jameson, The Church of the Highlands, and Walk-On's. We were pleased to have Hibernia Bank, McGlynn, Glisson & Koch, Argosy Casino, Davis Law Firm/Law Offices of Ossie Brown and Sealy and Falgoust return.
There really are, and have always been just three people who organize this event - Pat Shingleton, Grey Hammett and Mabyn Shingleton. Every year Denis Shingleton adds his assistance on parade day when he comes to town in coordinating the bands. This year Francis Guillory took over as Marshal Coordinator and did a great job in organizing the Civil Air Patrol who we commissioned to help us with the safety of this event.
The work for the Twentieth Anniversary will begin soon... not by the Irish Club as reported in The Advocate but by Pat Shingleton, Mabyn Shingleton and Grey Hammett Stay tuned, it should be great. Hope to see you there.
