Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Oklahoma City

1-24-07

Public Information Office
Contact: Connie Blaney, Public Information Director
Or Jane Moon, Administrative Assistant
405-523-3000

Entries and Volunteers Sought for St. Patrick Day Parade

Entries are still being accepted for the 25th annual Saint Patrick Day Parade to be held Saturday, March 17 in Oklahoma City's Bricktown. The parade will begin at 1 p.m. at the intersection of Walker and Sheridan avenues and move east into Bricktown ending at Walnut and Sheridan.

This is a special year, says Parade Chairwoman Elizabeth "Kelly" Green, because the 25th anniversary of the parade coincides with the Oklahoma State Centennial.

Green, who has served on the parade committee every year since its inception, says about 80 entries are expected. "It is a family-oriented parade," she says. "Lots of Scout troops, Junior ROTC, bands, car clubs, dog entries, civic groups, equestrians, floats and, of course, clowns."

Ed Kelley, editor of The Oklahoman, has been named this year's parade Grand Marshal (Biography). The honorary title is granted to someone of Irish descent who has demonstrated positive civic and charitable contributions in Oklahoma. Kelley will also be recognized at the St. Patrick's Day Grand Marshal Ball the evening before the parade.

Kelley succeeded the late Edward L. Gaylord in 2003 as editor of the The Oklahoman, where he previously served as editorial page editor, managing editor, Washington bureau chief, city editor, business editor and state roving reporter. He was named national Editor of the Year in 1996 by the Washington-based National Press Foundation for directing the newspaper's coverage of the Oklahoma City bombing. He was inducted into the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame in 2003 and served as a juror to the Pulitzer Prizes in 1998.

As grand marshal, Kelley will review each parade entry and work with judges to choose the winners in such categories as originality, theme, spirit and best over all.

Also assisting as parade marshals will be members of the Edmond Amateur Radio Society. The EARS parade marshals will organize entrants at the start of the parade and help operations run smoothly along the route.

"We encourage all ethnic groups to participate," Green says. "We are also interested in having new members join our committee. You don't have to be Irish or Catholic. We are looking for dedicated volunteers. "

Green says she plans to retire as parade director along with Assistant Director Don Brown who also has served 25 years. For more information about entering this year's parade or volunteering on the committee, contact Green at 405-753-9887 or Brown at 405-634-0392.