St. Patrick’s Day celebrations continue to grow in Blue Ridge

BLUE RIDGE, Ga. – Rain had come and gone all morning leading up to the 11 a.m. kickoff of festivities. Many spectators that had lined the streets questioned whether or not the parade would take place but shortly before the set start time the clouds parted and the sun shown, leading to a beautiful setting for Blue Ridge’s largest St. Patrick’s Parade to date.

Thanks to the luck of the Irish, residents and visitors were able to enjoy ideal weather conditions while they filled the streets of downtown Blue Ridge Saturday, March 17, to watch the parade.

Green was the color of the day as the parade made its way down the Main Streets of Blue Ridge. Headed by the Humane Society of Blue Ridge, our four-legged friends set the pace as a multitude of businesses and organizations followed behind.

Grumpy Old Men Brewery was present in their iconic military vehicle that lifted riders well above the crowds on Main Street. Mystic Mountain Pizza made their way down the street in a tie-dyed Volkswagen Beetle.

Past met present as a beautifully decorated horse-drawn carriage was followed by the largest number of Jeeps to ever roll through downtown.

“It is growing exponentially each year,” St. Patrick’s Parade sponsor and proprietor of the Boro Inn Brendan Doyle shared his excitement of the parade’s success.

Having began five years ago, the St. Patrick’s Parade in Blue Ridge is unique in that it has true Irish roots. Doyle, born and raised in Ireland, came to America in 1984 and after falling in love with the beautiful area and people of Georgia made his move permanently to the states in 1989.

According to Doyle, St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated much the same in Ireland as it is in the United States, and the festivities center around fun and family togetherness: “It would be equivalent to Thanksgiving in the spring.”

When asked what inspired him to originate the St. Patrick’s Parade in Blue Ridge besides his obvious Irish roots, Doyle replied that a large majority of the settlers to our area are that of Scottish and Celtic descent.

“You got to bring a little taste and flare to the home folk,” Doyle added with a smile.

For Doyle and for the spectators that lined the streets of Blue Ridge, St. Patrick’s Day really is all about spending time with family, and families were not disappointed as the green sea of St. Patrick’s Day merriment made its way through the streets of our town.

 

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