Luck of the Irish

Hello and a very merry “Top of the Morning” to you one and all! Happy Saint Patrick’s Day “week” to everyone that is Irish and all whom wish to be Irish.

Huntsville celebrated St. Patrick’s Day on Saturday with a blistering cold “Parade of Green” downtown with well over a 125 participating entries. By its very nature, the festivities and the parade are full of frivolity and this year was no excrption. In spite of the cold and the threat of an afternoon rain, parade goers lined the streets in hopes of going home with green beads and candy. I never tire of seeing the excitement on the children’s faces or the enthusiasm of a few adults that may have already indulged in a libation or two of Irish pride! Kegs and Eggs for breakfast!!!!!

I was very pleased to hear that Jo and Bruce Weddendorf had been selected as the Grand Marshalls of this year’s parade. They are co-owners of the Straight to Ale Brewery that resides at the new 805 Campus. Bruce and Jo are very much a part of the new entrepreneurial movement that is once again making the city such a vibrant place to live and one of the leaders in the craft beer growth in the state of Alabama. You never see them without a smile on their face. Straight to Ale, along with many other local breweries, is putting Huntsville on the national map and what better day to be recognized than on St Patrick’s Day.

Unlike years in the past where I have walked the parade route and photographed the many colorful participants, this year I had the pleasure to be invited to join some friends and ride in the parade. Of course it was not just any ride but a very special one – a Santa owned 1962 “Red” Buick Special convertible. As cold as it was you would have almost thought we were in the Christmas parade. I had the pleasure of occupying and photographing from the back seat along with my good friend “Stanta” Stan Miller and his very worthy Santa helper, Ms. Karen Peavyhouse Lingar. As he “HoHoHo” his way along the route, you could see the kids get excited as they were taken back by the joyous sound. Even when you include the blistering ride down the interstate, I must say it was still one very enjoyable and memorable day.