Thousands of Houstonians embraced their inner Irish as a decades' old tradition painted the town green with amicable tenor and good cheer — and kegs and kegs of beer.
The festive scene of the 54th Annual Houston St. Patrick's Parade downtown last weekend welcomed everyone as part of the clan. A capacity squad of decorated floats, Irish dancers, bagpipers, vintage vehicles, antique fire trucks, party buses and proud men and women of Irish provenance offered a glimpse of the community's contributions to the city.
Themed "We Are Irish Texans," at the helm of a procession that honored the memory of Larry Joe Miggins, Jack Barnes and Sister Muriel Clarke was radio celeb Donna McKenzie, accompanied by daughter Sophia Macris, in a classic 1966 classic red Mustang convertible. The lively duo joined the judging panel in the viewing stand to award goodwill prizes to the many entrants that participated in the al fresco fete, which organizers say broke attendance records.
Partaking in the festivities were Mayor Annise Parker on horseback, the O'Maoileidigh Houston Irish Dance Group, parade chairman Sean Kearns and family, parade queen Annie Miggins, members of the Irish Society, volunteers that run the Houston St. Patrick's Parade Commission, reps from sponsors Bud Light, Doug Mraw of Silver Eagle Distributors and many, many others.
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Thousands of Houstonians embraced their inner Irish as a decades' old tradition painted the town green with amicable tenor and good cheer
