VENTURA : St. Patrick’s Day Parade to Be Staged

“Keep It Green--It’s Our World” is the theme of Saturday’s fourth annual St. Patrick’s Day parade on downtown Ventura streets.

About 80 groups have signed up to participate in the parade, which starts at 10 a.m. near Mission Plaza Park on Main Street. The parade route follows Main to Kalorama Street.

This year, the Green Party will be represented in the parade, according to Nan Drake, parade coordinator. The group boycotted the event last year because the theme was centered around the return of U. S. armed forces from the Persian Gulf War.

Grand marshal for the parade is Capt. Brian O’Connell, former base commander at the Naval Construction Battalion Center in Port Hueneme, who will show his Irish colors when he dons a leprechaun costume.

A large inflated pig, which lost its air in 1991 and had to drop out of the parade, will return this year with a backup generator to keep it aloft, officials said.

Other participants include several bands, local fire departments, politicians, beauty queens, restaurants and businesses. The Ventura Police Department’s DARE band will march, along with health enthusiast Gypsy Boots and the Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD).

First-, second- and third-place awards will be presented in five categories, including social service, equestrian, music and business. Awards will be presented at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Elks Lodge at Main and Ash streets.

The lodge is sponsoring a traditional Irish corned beef and cabbage dinner with entertainment beginning at noon. Tickets are $8 at the door, with children under 12 admitted for half price. Advance tickets from parade committee members are $6.