The 2012 parade will feature marchers including floats, military units, local dignitaries, media and entertainment personalities and civic, cultural and social groups. The Tucson parade has a 25-year history and provides a good time for the entire family.

The St. Patrick’s Day Festival opens at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 17 at El Presidio Park Plaza, 160 W. Alameda Street, with live Irish music, dancers, entertainment, a children’s game area, and food and merchandise vendors. Irish organizations, ethnic and cultural tables will be set up in the park as well. Festival Schedule TBA.

The one hour Parade will begin at 11:00 A.M. at Pennington & Stone Avenue, making its way through Downtown – around the Presidio – down Main – through the heart of Tucson.

The 2012 parade and Festival theme, “Honoring our Founders”, will pay tribute to our parade founders, celebrate their vision, and honor their dedication to the Irish and Tucson community.

Portion of Festival Proceeds to benefit the Tucson Police Officers Association.

In memory of the more than one million Irish who died in the Potato Famine 150 years ago, marchers and spectators are asked to remember the hungry of Tucson. The Community Food Bank will accept canned food donations during the Festival.

Grand Marshal was supposed to be Mike Haggerty, one of their parade founders, and former Ward 3 Councilmember. Unfortunately Mike passed away at age 81 on 3/5/12 but he will be there in spirit and memory. The Haggerty family will be riding their decorated golf cart in the parade.

I usually go to this very “green” parade & festival, which is lots of fun, even for those of us who aren’t Irish (but would like to be). Note new location of festival at El Presidio Park on Alameda next to City Hall, west of Church Ave. and not at Armory Park.

www.tucsonstpatricksday.com

Also happening that morning for joggers:

The Third Annual “Running with the Irish” will feature the “Green Isle Mile.” It will begin at the corner of Pennington and Stone at 10:55 a.m.

This is THE competition for bragging rights to the fastest mile in Tucson!

The 1 mile run through beautiful downtown Tucson serves as the kick-off to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Register on www.taggrun.com and don’t forget to wear your green!

Dr. Peter Rhee (Arizona Republic file photo)

The 2011 parade and Festival theme, “Everyday Heroes,” will center on local, national and world personalities that have made a positive difference in the lives of those they touch.

The parade will feature marchers including floats, military units, local dignitaries, media and entertainment personalities and civic, cultural and social groups. The Tucson parade has a 24-year history and provides a good time for the entire family.

This year’s Grand Marshal is Dr. Peter Rhee, UMC trauma surgeon.

We will also have representatives from TPD, TFD, several local hospitals, EMT’s, first responders, social workers, care workers, as well as scores of Tucson teachers represented. Come out and help the Irish community show support and recognize our wonderful hard working men and women of Tucson!

The Honorary Grand Marshal for this year’s parade is Father Eusebio Francisco Kino. This year marks the 300th anniversary of his passing. Father Kino was well known for his ability to create relationships between indigenous peoples and the religious institutions he represented. He fought hard for the rights of the various Sonoran tribes and their individual members. He opposed the slavery and compulsory hard labor in the silver mines. Kino also practiced other crafts and was an expert astronomer, mathematician and cartographer, who drew the first accurate maps of Pemeria Alta, the Gulf of California and Baja California. Truly an Everday Hero!

More info on Father Kino at www.padrekino.com. (Kino Heritage Society)

The Festival begins in Armory Park (220 South 5th Avenue) at 3:00 p.m. with live Irish music, dancers, entertainment, a children’s game area, and food and merchandise vendors. Irish organization, ethnic and cultural tables will be set up in the park as well. Festival Schedule TBA.

Portion of Festival Proceeds to benefit the Tucson Police Officers Association, Kids & Cops Christmas Program.

In memory of the more than one million Irish who died in the Potato Famine 150 years ago, marchers and spectators are asked to remember the hungry of Tucson. The Community Food Bank will accept canned food donations at the parade line-up
area, along the parade route and at Armory Park during the Festival.

The one hour Parade will begin at 5:30PM on 14th & Stone Avenue, wind through Downtown – Congress, Broadway and 6th Street- ending at Armory Park.

This years Parade and Festival coincides with Downtown Tucson’s 2nd Saturday Event. More info can be found at www.tucsonstpatricksday.com or www.2ndsaturdaysdowntown.com.

The Korean American community in Tucson is very proud of Dr. Rhee, who treated Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and the other shooting victims who were brought to University Medical Center on January 8. Click here for his bio on the UMC website. He is a Professor at the University of Arizona Medical School, and did his residency at the University of California, Irvine Medical Center (General Surgery).

Wear green for this parade & festival, and again on March 17, St. Patrick’s Day.