Shriners Dollars for Shamrocks & Parade

Six years ago, the fledgling St. Patrick's Day parade in Grand Forks, ND zigged and zagged around about 10 blocks. The next year, the itty bitty parade came across the Sorlie Bridge from East Grand Forks. And for the past four years, the parade — such as it is — has been running down Third Street. It starts at Widman's and proceeds down South Third Street to Kelly's Tavern

Mother Nature doesn't always smile on St. Patrick's Day parades. But this year, she at least will not be frowning. And Bill Steckler, the instigator of the parade, said it will begin at 3 p.m. Saturday. It will be led by David Bickel of Bismarck who is Grand Master of North Dakota Masons.

Along with their support of the parade, some local businesses are contributing dollars for shamrocks. The money goes to help support the Shriner Hospital for children in Minneapolis. The parade sponsors are the Masons of Malta Lodge in Grand Forks.

Steckler, who belongs to the Masons, is hoping for more families and pets to join in the parade this year.

Another great tradition for St. Patrick's Day in Grand Forks is the annual luncheon at St. Michael's Church. It's open to the public. And those who come on Saturday will hear accordion music as well as Irish songs by students of Maria Williams Kennedy.
It just doesn't matter that St. Patrick's Day actually is Tuesday.