Synchronize Shamrocks

If you don't already have plans for this Sunday afternoon (and even if you do), you should pin a reminder on your calendar about the fifth annual Norwich Saint Patrick's Day Parade and Festival. 

In that same spirit of tradition, I'd like to share some péarlaí a d'fhéadfadh a bheith ina eagna (pearls of what could be wisdom) I've offered for previous parades.

Weather permitting (a phrase we’ve used almost every day since the daylight started shrinking last fall), the Norwich Saint Patrick's Day Parade will step off at one from Ferry Street, makes its way around Franklin Square, up Franklin Street and then use Willow Street to march to Chestnut and then, in turn, Broadway before making a left at the Wauregan onto Main Street and finishing up at City Landing. I'm bringing a compass even though I never get lost becais\use so many people tell me where to go 

Here’s the Facebook page with a map of the route and a listing of many of the shenanigans activities going on around the parade itself. The parade gets larger and longer with every passing year, not just in terms of events associated with it but also for cosa a chur ar an tsráid (putting feet on the street) across downtown.

It's another reason to stop and visit someplace too many of us still too often  drive through on our way to someplace else complaining ‘there’s never anything to do in Norwich.’ Which could be, I guess, except when it’s not such as this Sunday and on the other six days of the week as well. And while you are in downtown, take a couple of minutes to check out what's new (or new to you) since your last visit and see for yourself how the heart of Norwich is beating stronger than ever.  

Every year I've attended (with my last name where do you think I would be), and have met more and more people who do not live in Norwich but have heard about the parade and the family-oriented crafts festival afterwards with authentic food and beverages (both adult and unadulterated) and decided to try it on for size and were very pleased that they had come.

Everyone is welcome to march, or mush (in case we've had snow), though it's really more of a brisk walk than a march in terms of distance, so you can smile and wave without breaking a sweat.  And you won’t be alone.

All kinds of agencies and organizations are scheduled to march led by this year's Parade Grand Marshall Sofee Noblick, so now is the time to practice putting your best foot forward.

When Irish Eyes are Smiling, let’s hope they brighten and warm up Sunday afternoon enough to allow both the wearing of the green and the marching of the feet. And though it’s technically early, it’s right on time for Sunday: Beannachtam na Feile Padraig "Happy St. Patrick's Day!"

-bill kenny