Members of some of Ventura’s historic families will serve as Grand Marshals when the annual Ventura County St. Patrick’s Day Parade marches down Main Street for the 28th time in downtown Ventura on Saturday, March 12.
The theme of this year’s parade, which begins in front of Mission San Buenaventura at 10 a.m., is “Celebrating 150 Years of Ventura’s History.” The city was incorporated on April 2, 1866.
Leah Kopp has been selected to serve as this year’s Irish Belle for the Parade. Kopp is a senior at Foothill Technology High School in Ventura. She is a scholar-athlete who played basketball for Buena High School until this year when Foothill for the first time offered boys’ and girls’ team sports . Kopp’s duties as the parade’s 5th Irish Belle are to attend promotional activities supporting the parade and to ride in the convertible that leads the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee entry.
The whole county will be turning out in green on Main Street. Last year’s parade drew over 90 entries, including floats sponsored by civic groups, nonprofits and local businesses and restaurants; marching bands; car clubs; horses; clowns and the Biggest Green Pig in the World. There also will be high school pep bands, youth groups and fun-loving adult groups entered in the parade.
The Ventura County St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which ends at Laurel Street, is presented by the Ventura Elks Lodge #1430.
The event’s committee is accepting entries for the parade. For entry forms or more information about the parade, visit www.venturastpatricksdayparade.com, call Jim Monahan at 643-4275 or email Nan Drake at [email protected]
