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Parade rescinded at last minute

By Fritz Busch 2 min read
Staff photo by Fritz Busch St. Patrick’s Day March of the Irish participants from left, Les Wiltschek, Ken Drexler, Tony Miller, Roger Hoffmann, Char Reinhart O’ Kalk, all of New Ulm and Zoey Hanson, Cambria, pose on the sidewalk on South Minnesota Street late Tuesday afternoon. The New Ulm Police reported shortly after 4 p.m. Tuesday that the City of New Ulm rescinded the parade permit in the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak.

NEW ULM -- The longest continuous St. Patrick's Day celebration in Minnesota continued privately for the 55th year in New Ulm Tuesday.

The parade was rescinded by the City of New Ulm sometime shortly after 4 p.m. Tuesday, according to New Ulm Police.

A would-be parade participant mentioned concerns by an individual regarding the parade and the latest federal guidelines of not congregating in groups of more than 10 during the current coronavirus/COVID-19 outbreak.

Less than 10 parade participants gathered on the sidewalk just south of the Post 132 New Ulm American Legion club on south Minnesota St. They admitted they were disappointed that the parade permit was pulled late in the day but seemed to understand the circumstances in a way.

Meanwhile, another group of people including Mary Jane Glawe of New Ulm walked on the sidewalk, south through downtown from the Schonlau Park Glockenspiel. Glawe handed out bars of Irish Spring soap, tissues and potatoes.

"Irish are stubborn. We're here to do what we can," Glawe said.

Since eating and drinking establishments were ordered by Gov. Tim Walz to close at 5 p.m. Tuesday, there was no traditional Irish gathering with the O'Concord Singers at Don's Pub (known most of the year as the Kaiserhoff Restaurant).

Fritz Busch can be emailed at fbusch@nujournal.com.

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