Special Announcements for the
21st. Annual Lawrence St Patrick's Day Parade!
The 21st Annual Lawrence St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Press Release—February 20, 2008
The Lawrence St. Patrick’s Day Parade is in its 21st year and to date the fundraising efforts of the committee have provided more than $435,000 to local charities with its focus being on the young people of our community. To remind everyone, the organizations we are funding this year are the County Fair Swim Club and the Social Service League of Lawrence. These organizations reach out to so many of our community’s children and they deserve our support.
There are several special announcements regarding this year’s upcoming activities.
Our premier events are happening over the next several days and we hope everyone in this community will find a way to share in the fun and the spirit of giving that our activities represent.
Some events have already taken place such as the Trivia Tournament at Zig and Macs, which raised approximately $3,500, The Dart Tournament at the Red Lyon Tavern, and last Friday night we sold over $2,000 worth of shirts and novelties at the first of our two T-shirt Pub Crawls, The second will be Friday February 29th.
This Saturday February 23rd the committee will be hosting its Annual Charity Benefit Auction at Spring Hill Suites. Doors will be opened at 5:30PM for viewing the auction items; silent bidding will begin at 6 O’clock. The live auction will begin at 7PM. The Master of Ceremonies will be the unmistakable Voice of Lawrence, Mr. Hank Booth, assisted by Channel 6’s own notable personality Jennifer Schack and radio personality Chris Merrill of Merrill in the Morning. Our thanks to them and our auction coordinators, Debi Drummet and Brenda Brown.
In addition to these events, we have some very special people that will take part in the parade. A good friend of Lawrence and a long time business owner, key member of our community, this year’s Grand Marshal, Mr. Joe Flannery of Weavers. In addition, we have a couple of hardworking members of our community who are being honored in this year’s parade as our Senior King and Queen, Don and Bev Gardner, of well known Red Dog fame; he will also make an appearance at the Charity Benefit Auction this Saturday as will Coach Don Fambrough who will be auctioning an autographed copy of his book.
With little time to recover; on Saturday March 9th the 5K Shamrock Shuffle will be held at and behind Johnny’s along the Kansas River levy. Many thanks go to both McDonald and Anthony Chiropractic Clinics for sponsoring this event and to Jim McDonald for all of the coordinating effort that it entails. And, a very special thanks goes to Rick Renfro of Johnny’s for his facilities and for the good food that he provides for everyone who participates in the season-opening fun run. Pre-registration for the 5K-run is available for $20 and includes a special, run T-shirt for those who register in time. Day of the race registration will be $25 and begins at 7:00AM with a start time of 8 O’clock.
That same day, the “Luck of the Irish Motorcycle Poker Run” is being held, Saturday March 9th. It will be starting from the Slow Ride Roadhouse at 12 noon. The proceeds will be presented to the Lawrence St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Now, for the Parade on Friday March 17th the parade will begin from South Park at 1:00PM and will proceed through Downtown, across the river, down Locust Street, and through North Lawrence.
We want as many people to participate in the parade as possible. We are still accepting Parade entry applications but to reserve your place in the lineup applications need to be in our hands soon, with a deadline of Friday, March 9th.
A list of auction items, applications for the Parade, and the 5K Shamrock Shuffle as well as other information for all events are available online at:
http://lawrencestpatricksdayparade.com
Applications may also be obtained at Cottin’s Hardware on Massachusetts St. or at McDonald Chiropractic at 23rd and Haskell.
Additionally, 5K Shamrock Shuffle forms are available at most of the sport shops and athletic clubs around town.
Further information or reservations are available by calling 749-6677.
Thanks,
St. Patrick’s Day Parade of Lawrence
For information please call 749-6677,
email: info@lawrencestpatricksdayparade.com,
or visit our website at http://www.lawrencestpatricksdayparade.com.
