Loretta Swit to be Easter Parade Grand Marshal

The St. Augustine Easter Week Festival along with Old Town Trolley Tours of St. Augustine and Ayla’s Acres No-Kill Animal Rescue announced to Historic City News today that actress Loretta Swit will be the grand marshal of the upcoming St. Augustine Easter Parade scheduled for March 27, 2016.

Swit, who is a two-time Emmy Award winner best known for her role as Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan on M*A*S*H, is a frequent St. Augustine visitor, as well as an animal activist and honorary board member of local non-profit Ayla’s Acres.

“Old Town Trolley Tours of St. Augustine is pleased to work with Ayla’s Acres to bring Ms. Swit to St. Augustine to lead this important and historical parade for our community and continue honoring St. Augustine’s 450th anniversary,” said David Chatterton, Old Town Trolley Tours of St. Augustine General Manager and St. Augustine Easter Week Festival Parade Director.

This year’s parade will begin at 3:00 p.m. and follow a route from the Mission Nombre de Dios, down Avenida Menendez, and through the historic district.

“The Easter Parade is a staple in the St. Augustine community, and all of the team members of Ayla’s Acres, including Ms. Swit, are excited to be part of this tradition,” said Fran Charlson, executive director of Ayla’s Acres.

The St. Augustine Easter Parade began in 1956 in an effort to increase tourism in the area.  Officially the Parada de los Caballos y Coches, Parade of Horses and Carriages, features St. Augustine’s Royal Family, the Easter Bunny, clowns, drill teams, community floats and marching bands.

The St. Augustine Easter Week Festival would also like to thank sponsor The Bailey Group for their generous donation to help with costs associated with putting the parade on this year.

For more than 14 years, Old Town Trolley Tours has brought a blend of transportation and entertainment to St. Augustine by taking visitors and residents throughout the historic city, offering 23 stops with more than 100 points of interest. For more information, visit http://www.trolleytours.com/st-augustine

Ayla’s Acres is a St. Augustine-based, non-profit organization that supports adoption, spay and neuter, and responsible care of animals.  For more information, visit http://www.aylasacres.org

For more information about the St. Augustine Easter Week Festival, call 904-829-3800 or visit www.oldestcityeaster.org.