2001 St Patrick's Day Parade

Yes, it’s March Maddness time…and Melrose headed for Des Moines & WON THE BIG DANCE….bringing home ANOTHER FIRST PLACE TROPHY for BEST PARADE ENTRY in the  annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Iowa’s capitol city.

The Melrose Irish (and almost Irish) headed for Des Moines bright & early St. Patrick’s Day to join up with the Des Moines branch of the Melrose Irish clan—as well as other Irish cousins, Melrose alumnae,  and former residents who came from several states to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day & celebrate Melrose roots.

Leo Ward, Chief Leprechaun, parade coordinator & idea man for the Melrose entry -designed a HUGH 50 foot SNAKE (that Irish folks walked under & carried)….so that it  “slithered”  endlessly down the parade route. A huge red tongue hissed from the snakes mouth (actually an Irish man’s arm covered in red --poked & hissed from the snake’s mouth)

St. Patrick himself DROVE THE SNAKE DOWN THE PARADE ROUTE-- & RIGHT OUT OF IOWA.  St. Patrick (John Parkin) was perched high on STILTS that were 9-l0 foot tall…& walked the entire parade route on  these stilts –keeping that ole snake out of trouble till he got it out of Iowa. (or at least till he got it by the Judges & to the Melrose Hospitality Room at the Embassy Suites)

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