Imagine a sizzling platter of corned beef and cabbage, a pint of green beer, and a sprinkling of shamrocks, all served up by a jolly leprechaun and you have the makings of a rollicking St Patrick’s Day. Who doesn’t want to be “Irish” on St Patrick’s Day?
There is no better way to celebrate than Milton’s 16th annual St Patrick’s Day Parade on Sunday, March 10th at 2 pm. The Lucky Leprechaun 5K run is the same day starting at 11 am. The loop course starts and ends at Irish Eyes.
The Irish Eyes Pub and Restaurant started the parade in 2008, two years after it had opened, in an effort “to give back to the town that welcomed us with open arms”, according to the Irish Eyes web site. Last year the parade attracted 75 entries and organizers expect that number to grow this year. Benefactors of the parade and the run are the Milton Fire Department, the Milton Chamber of Commerce, and the Milton Community Foundation. In its first year, the event raised $1,000 for its benefactors. Last year, it raised more than $24,000. The funding comes from sponsor fees, parade entries and a runner’s fee for the 5K.
Irish Eyes owners credit the event’s success to widespread support from local businesses and residents. It is a festive occasion that draws a large crowd each year.
Dogfish Head and Atlantic Refrigeration and Ari Conditioning are also sponsors, along with several other local vendors.
The parade starts at the intersection of Route 5 Union Street) and Atlantic Avenue. It weaves through town and ends at the Milton Elementary School. Several roads will be closed so it is best to check the web site for details. The center of the parade is near the Milton Theater so it will be the most congested part of the parade route.
The registration fee for the Lucky Leprechaun Run is $35 prior to the event (deadline is March 6) and $40 the day of the event. Day of registration starts at 9:30 at the Milton Irish Eyes. Awards will be offered to the top male and female winners plus other age group categories. A
Awards: Overall male and female plus top 3 in 10 yeage groups 13 under to 70 over. Top 3 male
If you miss the March 10 festivities, you will have other chance at the Irish Eyes location in Lewes but there is no parade. The location is celebrating St Patrick’s Day on March 17 and is featuring music from noon to 3 pm by the popular band The Pros from Dover featuring Matt Lafferty. Live music is on the docket for the rest of the afternoon and into the evening. A long weekend of music starts on Thursday, March 14.
Mary Jo Tarallo spent much of her career in public relations with various non-profits and spent 40 years involved with the ski industry s a journalist, public relations director for a national trade association and as executive director of the Learn to Ski and Snowboard initiative. Prior to her ski industry involvement she worked for the Maryland International Center in Baltimore and United Way of Central Maryland. She won a Gold Award for TV programming for a United Way simulcast that starred Oprah Winfrey. She has been cited for her work by numerous organizations. Mary Jo grew up in Baltimore, attended the University of Maryland and Towson University, lived in Washington, DC for 21 years and has been a full time resident of Rehoboth Beach and Milton since May 2019.