Trending
NEW ULM -- With the 55th anniversary of the New Ulm St. Patrick's Day Parade approaching on Wednesday, the Irish community in New Ulm has been faced with a dilemma. They, of course, want to keep the tradition of the longest continuous St. Patrick's Day celebration in the state alive, but they want to do their civic duty in the face of the COVID-19 celebration.
"We know that the New Ulm St. Patrick's Day celebration draws huge crowds to New Ulm every year, and we know this has all the makings of a Super Spreader event," said parade organizer Tom Donnelly. "Last year we estimate 13,000 people showed up for last year's parade, which was cut short due to the COVID-19 shutdown. We want to avoid that this year."
So they wish to make it clear that the Irish will NOT be gathering at 4:30 p.m. near St. Mary's Catholic Church to march the wrong way down Minnesota Street.
However, those strolling along Minnesota Street between 5 and 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday may notice a line of Irish "Scout Cars" patrolling the street, making sure the streets are safe. They may be waving and wishing Irish blessings on those they pass. This vehicle parade is expected to satisfy the Guinness Book of Records requirements to maintain the New Ulm St. Patrick's Day record.
There will be some very special Irish people in the parade, with their friends and guests. The Grand Marshal for last year is being honored again this year. He is a fine young man of German and Bohemian heritage who has never missed a Gathering of Clans -- Denis Warta is the 2020-21 Grand Marshal.
The Irish Queen this year is Sarah Gillis. "I'm Irish by impregnation seven times," Gillis said. "Raising a clan of 5 stubborn Irish lads and 2 sassy lassies. Married into the Gillis Clan in 1997, had kilted men playing bagpipes at me wedding. Living with an Irishman for 23 years learning his ways for making stew full of Guinness and soda bread. Honored to care for my small clan and represent the Irish here in town."
As soon as COVID restrictions allow, the Irish are planning a Gathering of the Clans banquet at Jan's Pub. There will be dinner, jokes, blessings and entertainment. All will be welcome, even those Irish only for the day.
The Irish are inviting all former Irish Queens to reunite for the parade in 2022.
The Irish have been keeping track of the many events accomplishments that have happened this year.
• MnDOT officials were finally persuaded to have the new roundabout intersection at Highway 14 and 15 to be influenced by the Irish with a four-leaf clover design.
• Gov. Tim Walz deserves a pint of Guinness and a Jameson chaser for getting chewed out by someone all the time. No matter what he said or did, someone who never even led a group to the restroom was complaining about him for something.
• The Double Done Nothing award goes to our children who were forced to stay home and take educational training 7 hours a day by computer.
• KNUJ earned the praise of the Heart of New Ulm for playing Irish jigs instead of polka music while people were sheltering at home during the pandemic. It is a proven fact that dancing the Irish Jig in place for an hour burns twice the calories and provides a greater aerobic workout than doing the polka.
• It is noted that Roger Hippert plans to retire as New Ulm City Attorney this year. The Irish hope that before he leaves office he will reverse one of the greatest injustices the city attorney's office ever perpetrated on the public when Hippert's former partner, Hugh Nierengarten prosecuted the late, great Irishman, Patrick Kneefe, for running over the heel of a workman at New Ulm Medical Center several years ago. The Irish urge Hippert to work to get a pardon for Kneefe. It wasn't his fault. The guy was standing in his way. People can sign a document supporting this movement, the "Please Pardon Pat Posthumously" Petition.
As always, jig, don't jog, and smile, Don Brand. You are getting closer to being a true Irishman. But remember, on St. Patrick's Day, EVERYONE is Irish.