6A
Friday, March 17, 1995
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
KU Weekend
A wee bit o' the Irish a march through Lawrence
After months of preparation, the Irish and the non- Irish alike are set to parade through Downtown and North Lawrence for the St. Patrick's Day parade
The Wearin' o' the Green
By Jake Arnold Kansan staff writer
Krista McGlohon/KANSAN
parade to help children in Douglas County.
or a couple months out of the year, bikers and bankers, building inspectors and bar owners like to hang out together. While they are at it, they put together a
The eight annual St. Patrick's Day Parade will start today at 12:30 p.m. at South Park. It will travel north on Massachusetts Street, cross the bridge and end at the Flamingo Club, 501 N. Ninth St.
The parade is a culmination of months of preparation and weeks of charity fund-raising. The St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee is dedicated to raising money for children's causes in Douglas County.
"Different people are involved from different walks of life," he said.
Kevin Clark, an optician at Spectrum Optical, 4 E. Seventh St., and a bartender at The Pool Room, 925 Iowa St., said that the committee enjoyed planning the parade and getting the community involved.
Debi Drummet, a banker at Commerce Bank, 955 Iowa St., and the co-head of the committee, gave four themes for the parade:
The committee's final meeting took place at Johnny's Tavern, 401 N. Second St. Food was served, and a jazz band played. But when it comes to the parade, the committee takes it seriously.
First, to honor Irish Americans and their contributions to America; second, to celebrate the legend and spirit of St. Patrick through a fun, old-fashioned parade; third, to promote an atmosphere of benevolence, friendship and cooperation through the parade and other associated events; and fourth, to support and exemplify the idea that charity and goodwill begins at home.
The committee has raised more than $70,000 during the past seven years for local children's charities.
The parade committee has strict rules about drinking. Floats with political or social messages are not allowed.
but then Sullivan got Mike Jones, owner of the Jet Lag Lounge. 610 Florida St., interested in the idea, and he started persuading Kabler. More people became involved, and in a matter of weeks, Lawrence had a St. Patrick's Day parade.
For the first parade, Sullivan told Kabler they had to have a white horse — it was tradition. Kabler did not want to ride a real horse, so they rented a carnival carousel horse and mounted it on the back of a flatbed pickup truck. Kabler donned his tuxedo and rode his horse.
That tradition didn't last, but other traditions have endured such as support.
"The police department has been more than helpful," Kabler said. "Anything we have asked for they have given
"The first one was a little ragged," said Shaughnessy, this year's grand marshal. "But you tell a bunch of Irishmen you are having a parade, and they get in line."
for they have given us."
Gene Shaughnessy, chief building inspector of Lawrence, is also a founding member of the St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee.
"Unfortunately, it is more organized now," he said with a mischievous grin. "We start meeting in December. It is a lot of hours, but it is a lot of fun."
Shaughnessy said the first one had been planned on the spur of the moment.
Tricia Joyner, a University of Washburn student, was named queen of this year's parade. Queens are chosen for their participation in fund raising.
Flamingo Club; and the Shamrock Shuffle, a 5K run. All of the events proceeds are given to charity.
Shaughnessy said that the parade was a North Lawrence parade.
The parade originally ran from the Flamingo to the Jet Lag. When they changed routes this year to include downtown, they had no intention of forgetting North Lawrence.
"North Lawrence has always supported us," Shaughnessy said. "They show up even on rainy or snowy days."
The parade never has been stopped by inclement weather.
Committee members agree that part of the parade's success is that it is a community event, and it brings all sorts of people together for the purpose of fun and charity.
Hannah's House Foundation,
2216 Alabama St., is the parade's
charity of choice this year. Hannah's
House, a home for unwed
teen-age mothers, will use the
money to start a pilot project
called "For the Love of a Child."
through North Lawrence," he said. "We think they appreciate that. We appreciate their support."
Events
Tonight
Beef Jerky with Bastard Squad, 10 p.m., cover charge, at The Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire St.
Monkey Meet, 10 p.m.,
$4, at the Jazzhaus of
Lawrence, 926 1/2
Massachusetts St.
Tracy Chapman in concert, 8 p.m., $16.50, at Liberty Hall, 642 Massachusetts St.
Uncle Dirty Toes, 8:30 p.m., no cover charge, at Full Moon Cafe, 803 Massachusetts St.
C. J. Chenier and Red Hot Louisiana Band, 9:30 p.m., $8, at The Grand Emporium, 3832 Main St., Kansas City, Mo.
Tomorrow
Shower Trick with Shallow and The Day After, 10 p.m., cover charge, at The Bottleneck.
Darrell Lea and Megan Hurt, 8:30 p.m., no cover charge, at Full Moon Cafe.
Monkey Meet, 10 p.m., $4, at the Jazzhaus of Lawrence.
C. J. Chenier and Red Hot Louisiana Band, 9:30 p.m., $8, at The Grand Emporium.
Monday
Sunday
Hellcat Trio with Kitchen Radio, 9:30 p.m., $3, at The Grand Emporium
Open Mike Night, 10 p.m., no cover charge, at The Bottle neck.
MU 330 with King Can and The Outsiders, 10 p.m., $3, at The Grand Emporium.
Tuesday
Box Set with Darrell Lea and Megan Hurt, 10 p.m., cover charge; at The Bottleneck.
Sing Along with Tom Krause, 8:30 p.m., no cover charge, at Full Moon Cafe.
William Clarke, 8 p.m.
$6, at the Grand Emporium.
Wednesday
Jonathan Richman with Jason and Alison,10 p.m.,cover charge, at The Bottleneck.
Rising Lion, 9:30 p.m.
$5; at The Grand
Emporium.
Thursday
Grither with Benison and Cockpit Biscuit, 10 p.m., cover charge, at The Bottleneck.
Anonymous, 8:30 p.m.
no cover charge, at
Full Moon Cafe.
John Cale, 9 p.m., $12,
at The Grand Emporium.