Patriotism Marches in Holiday Parade

Hundreds of people celebrated St. Patrick’s Day a wee bit early Saturday by cheering toe-tapping Irish dancers, a giant inflatable pig and dancing slices of pepperoni pizza during Ventura’s holiday parade.

The 14th annual County Ventura St. Patrick’s Day Parade combined the Irish holiday with good old American flag-waving under the theme “United We Stand--A Salute to Patriotism.”

“It’s definitely something to see,” said 36-year-old Alfred Ramirez of Ventura, who came with his wife and two children.

Among this year’s 76 entries were food that boogied, a red-headed Statue of Liberty standing on the back of a flatbed truck and a green-horned dinosaur on wheels pedaled by two people.

“I came to see a friend’s kid sit on one of the floats,” said a smiling Rex Wilcox, 47, of Santa Barbara. “This is actually pretty fun.”

Police Chief Mike Tracy and Fire Chief Dennis Downs were grand marshals of the homespun parade, which began at Mission Park and continued down Main Street to Laurel Street.

Among the most popular entrants were the toe-tapping girls from Ventura’s Claddagh School of Irish Dance and high school marching bands from Ventura, Oxnard and Santa Paula.

A group of women dressed as bulging bags of money pranced behind a Mid-State Bank sign mounted on a truck. A dozen members of the county’s Model A Ford Club in shiny vintage cars followed close behind.

There were clear skies and sunshine for the colorful event, but tree-bending winds forced float riders to grip their hats and miniature American flags.

Green streamers adorning several floats flapped wildly, and parade watchers bundled up in sweaters and long pants.

“It’s kind of silly but I always like coming to this because I’m Irish,” said Carrie Murphy, 19, of Ventura.

New and restored firetrucks dotted the lineup, along with event regulars such as Miss Ventura County, well-groomed Arabian show horses and miniature cars driven by full-size Shriners decked out in fezzes.

Patriotism was reflected on many floats, which were decorated in red, white and blue--and green.

Personnel from all branches of the military attended, including active-duty soldiers in uniform, war veterans, mounted Army reservists and a color guard.

“United We Stand and our flag is still here,” read one float banner.