Historic City News reporters were on hand for the first annual St. Patrick’s Day parade; presented as part of the St. Augustine Celtic Music and Arts Fest.
From the staging area behind the Lightner Museum, you could feel the excitement of this first-time event.
About 40 units participated, from floats to boats, entertaining a medium-sized crowd as it passed — a crowd that seemed to enjoy the parade and the morning’s crisp air and clear skies.
A Horse and Carriage provided by Aavalon Carriage Co. carried St. Augustine’s Royal Family — Queen Marianna (Suzanne Hazen) Young King Carlos (James Solana III) and Princess Margarita (Jaime Blevins).
The Royal Family was escorted by Royal Guard George Letts and Past Princess Tori Baker.
City Gates Productions provided their float; a reproduction of a Spanish galleon carrying a royal entourage of past Queens, Kings and Princesses.
Other participants included:
The Ancient City Privateers
Irish Dancers being led by an Antique VW bus
Girl Scouts riding in horse-drawn carriages
St. Anastasia Catholic Church
Clay County Sheriff’s Office Pipes and Drums
Star Wars characters
Moreau Estes
Retired New York City firemen
Poppy Queen
Patrol boat from the US Customs Department
Mayor Joe Boles and Commissioner Ken Bryan strolled in the parade wishing everyone “Top’O’ The Morning”.
A group of riders donned green and white decorations on their horses and representatives of Menendez High School marching band played Irish tunes. Members of the St. Augustine Yacht Club marched beside a vintage yacht.
Photo credits: © 2011 Historic City News contributed photograph by Vanessa Baker
Discover more from HISTORIC CITY NEWS
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.