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Annual Sedona St. Patrick’s Parade and Festival

sedona times / March 6, 2012 / No Comment

Sedona AZ (March 6, 2012) – Talk about the luck of the Irish! The northern Arizona day dawned bright and beautiful. Early in the morning, approximately a thousand people with entries headed uptown to Sedona’s Jordan Historical Park to form the Sedona St. Patrick’s Parade in the warm winter sunshine. Over a hundred volunteers manned the parade route and parking lots in preparation for the parade spectators and festival-goers.

The 2012 St. Patrick’s Day Parade Grand Marshal was the J. J. Thompson Family members – more than one hundred descendants of J.J. Thompson, the first white resident of Sedona who was Irish! The parade Color Guard, the Camp Verde Cavalry, was followed by sponsors banners recognizing businesses that provided financial support to keep the community tradition ongoing.

The Parade featured area County and State dignitaries, bagpipers, marching bands, Color Guards, dancers, musical groups, and all sorts of entries on foot and horseback, and in cars. Enthusiastic folks representing local community and nonprofit groups, businesses, and individuals were all smiles and waves as they were warmly received by the spectators after being introduced by the Master of Ceremonies, John Conway of Audioworxx. Entrants were reviewed for prizes and awards by the parade Judges, Shauna Fisher (Supervisor Flagstaff Aquaplex), Paul Giguere (Executive Director Flagstaff Family YMCA), and Brian Grube (Recreation Superintendent Community Enrichment Services).

Immediately following the parade, the Festival kicked off uptown with an opening ceremonial song performed by Pipe Major Michael Donelson and Bagpiper Martha Shideler, both from the Southwest Skye Pipes and Drums. The bagpipers were followed by Celtic music band Karl Jones and Dublin Soul with complementary dance performances by McTeggart Irish Step Dancers, Light Vibe and Cottonwood Dance, and the 2010 and 2011 AZ Irish Lasses (part of the AZ Colleens). The Sedona Korean American Association demonstrated two types of Ki Gong.

All the while, the Thompson Family members visited with festival-goers and each other, viewing family photos, filling in their family tree and sharing family stories. The festival food and refreshments featured Barking Frog and Cowboy Club Restaurants and the Sedona Fudge Company offered sweet treats at its booth. A beer garden for thirsty adults was sponsored by Oak Creek Brewery.

The Festival featured a children’s area with a wide variety of free activities for all ages. Deputy Do-Right and Smokey the Bear visited, McTeggart Irish Step Dancers gave lessons, three face painters kept busy, free balloon animals were presented, and both the Bouncy Castle and Joust Arena were filled to capacity.

The St. Patrick’s Day Parade and its Festival are free community events coordinated by Sedona Main Street Program, NAU’s Park and Recreation Management Program, and the Parade Green Team steering committee. The event is staffed by over a hundred volunteers who donate time, resources, and talent to make the day safe and fun. Remember to patronize local business owners throughout the year as many donated countless services or products to the parade event.

Now for the names of the St. Patrick’s Parade Award Winners (in alpha order by award name):

Best Dance Unit Award: McTeggart Irish Step Dancers
Best Float Award: Sedona Pines Resort
Best Marching Unit Award: Humane Society of Sedona
Best Music Entry Award: Southwest Skye Pipes & Drums
Best Vehicle Entry Award: Scott Kummerfeldt (1953 Jeep)
Color Guard Award: Northern Arizona Veteran’s Military Honor Color Guard
Drill Team Award: Flagstaff Kennel Club-K9 Drill Team
Equestrian Award: Poco Diablo Resort/Celtic Harvest Festival
Equestrian Color Guard Award: Camp Verde Cavalry
Outstanding Marching Band Award: Chino Valley High School Marching Band
Shamrock Award: Out of Africa Wildlife Park
St. Patrick’s Award: Garbage Can Band
Unique Award: Arizona Rangers – Verde Valley Company

If you did not receive your Festival award, contact the Sedona Main Street Program at 928-204-2390. Pictures of each parade entry may be viewed at sedonamainstreet.com. Click on the photos to enlarge, print or save to your computer to share and send to friends and family. A list of parade sponsors is available from the Sedona Main Street Program.