PEORIA -- The annual March 17 St. Patrick's Day parade in downtown Peoria was huge -- more people than I've ever seen at any parade including the Labor Day parade. Thousands and thousands.
The perfect weather, in the 60s, encouraged everyone to celebrate spring and the Irish.
People were dressed in costumes, or wearing green. Costumed Union soldiers guarded the GAR Hall, vendors were selling green hats for those who needed them, thousands of children lined the route (must have been a school holiday or they all skipped school for the parade) for candy, beads and other goodies those in the parade were giving out. They screamed constantly for the goodies and got them.
The floats and parade participants were a crazy, diverse group, and included horses wearing green bows, green fire engines, radio station vehicles playing loud but fun music -- the Beatles and other classic rock, sirens, political candidates -- it was quite a scene.
Fun and a good way to usher in spring.
-- Elaine Hopkins
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