Wayne Allen

PDT Staff Writer

The 7 Nations Celtic Club is set to host the 7th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 16 starting at 11 a.m.

The parade route begins south on Market Street, turns east on Second Street, proceeds to Washington Street and follows Washington Street north to Fifth Street, turning east on Fifth street and then north of Chillicothe Street with the parade dismissing at Tracy Park.

“Everybody’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day. This is our way of having some fun around this annual holiday,” said Lee Daily, parade coordinator.

He said over the past couple of years, the parade has grown and is becoming an annual tradition in downtown Portsmouth.

“Adam Streitenberger of Saint Mary Catholic Church will be the leader of this years parade, with the American Legion Post 23 Honor Guard following close behind. This year’s parade Grand Marshals are John and Sue Burke and this year we have two Junior Grand Marshals Moira Hogan and J.R. Cochran,” Daily said.

He said even though the weather does not look favorable for Saturday, people are still encouraged to come out and support the participants of the parade.

“We won’t go in the lightning, but rain a snow will not stop us. We’ve done it before,” Daily said.

He said this year’s parade will feature a number of floats and organizations represented throughout.

As is customary, a green line will be painted along the center of the parade route.

“That is done by secret leprechauns that do that. What we use to do that with the kindergarden finger paint and will wash off with the next rain,” Daily said.

According to the 7 Nations Celtic Club’s website, www.7ncc.org, the goal of the club is, “to celebrate, promote and preserve our common Celtic inheritance through educational, artistic and social means.”

For more information visit the 7 Nations Celtic Club on Facebook.

Wayne Allen may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 228, or tallen@civitasmedia.com.