Mick (and all),

We have multiple St. Patrick's "Day" parades on different days in New Orleans, too. I march with the Irish Channel club, whose parade is always on the previous Saturday, just like yours in Grand Rapids. Another group in the suburbs parades on Sunday, the day after we do, and the Downtown Irish Club marches on the 17th, in the evening.

The local Italian-Americans celebrate their heritage on St. Josephs Day, March 19 (unlike their counterparts in othe American cities who prefer Columbus Day, in October). There are two or three Irish-Italian clubs who continue the celebration into the next weekend, holding events "half-dedicated" to St. Pat.

Ours is the biggest parade of the year in the city, with over 3500 participants. The club members all walk, wearing rented green-tie-and-tails; membership is growing every year, and was very close to a thousand (960) as of our final meeting a couple of weeks ago.

Following the marching club members are numerous floats and trucks, sponsored by various other organizations, each carrying riders (2500 in all!) who throw beads to the crowds, just like in a Mardi Gras parade, and also throw loads of cabbages, potatoes and other vegetables. Those cabbages are about the size and weight of bowling balls, so active participation as a spectator at this parade demands a degree of alertness, if not athleticism ~ if you can't catch, you'd better at least be able to duck! (Drunk or sober, you must be on your toes.)