Fog Lifts and Sun Shines for 30th Annual City of Dublin St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Parade participants, early risers and those seeking a green pancake breakfast awoke Saturday to thick fog in many parts of Dublin. By the time the parade was signaled to start, promptly at 9:30am, the fog had lifted and the streets of downtown Dublin lined with families. The parade featured entries from schools across Dublin, marching bands, color guards, cheer teams, dance troupes, martial arts demonstrations, dogs, motorcycles, Shriner clowns scooting across the street, horses, bagpipers, veterans, local businesses, boy scouts, girl scouts, and more.

The parade also featured Congressman and Grand Marshal Eric Swalwell, Citizen of the Year Janet Lockhart, Young Citizen of the Year Camille Chabot and Organization of the Year Tri Valley Youth Court.

Notably absent was City of Dublin Mayor Tim Sbranti who is, appropriately, currently in Dublin, Ireland enjoying St. Patrick’s Day festivities with mayors from cities named Dublin from throughout the world.

St. Patrick’s Day festivities continue Sunday with the Shamrock 5K Fun Run & Walk and day 2 of the St. Patrick’s Day Festival featuring carnival games, booths, food and drink, and the McGrath Irish Dancers. Details on all events are available here.

Part of the charm of Dublin’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade is the unique local content. One example was Mr. Lucky, a creation of Dublin 14 year-old student Dustin Richardson (currently attending Fame Charter School). Dustin was previously profiled by Patch as a local “Whiz Kid” (read more…). For the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Dustin appeared as a silent film character named ‘Mr. Lucky’ to entertain parade viewers. According to Dustin’s father, “Dustin has a passion for silent films, especially Charlie Chaplin. After the 2012 Dublin St. Patrick’s Day festivities, Dustin created Mr. Lucky and has made several shows since then, including a Halloween and Christmas special. He created this video to celebrate his honored appearance in the Dublin St. Patrick’s Day parade. Dustin has always aspired to be a film maker. You can follow Mr. Lucky on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/TheMr.LuckyShow“.

Downtown at the City of Dublin St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2013

Horsing Around at the City of Dublin St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2013

Wells Middle School Principal Kevin Grier at the City of Dublin St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2013

Pageantry at the City of Dublin St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2013

Dublin High School Marching Band at the City of Dublin St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2013

Fallon Middle School Marching Band at the City of Dublin St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2013

Wells Middle School Marching Band at the City of Dublin St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2013

More photos from the parade are available here.