Thousands show up for annual St. Patrick’s Day parade in Henderson

A sea of spectators in green clothing covered the streets, splashing onto the curbs of sidewalks and steps of businesses.

Men in kilts carried bagpipes that hummed Celtic tunes.

Leprechauns ran along the street in search of pots of gold, asking children if they had seen a rainbow.

The luck of the Irish was back, and downtown Henderson was ready for it.

The 48th annual Sons and Daughters of Erin St. Patrick’s Day Parade marched on Water Street Saturday morning, celebrating a theme of “Shamrocks and Shenanigans.”

The event attracted about 40,000 people, making it the biggest celebration the organization has hosted, according to parade Chairman Pat Linehan.

“We had more people attend than ever before, but we were prepared for it,” Linehan said. “It went very well and ran smoothly. I’m very pleased with it.”

More than 100 local organizations, companies and schools participated in the parade, including Girls Scouts, CenturyLink and Spring Valley High School’s marching band.

Members of Super Summer Theatre, a nonprofit that performs at Spring Mountain Ranch State Park, were still putting the final touches on their float minutes before the parade started. With a unicorn, a pot of gold and a leprechaun, they hoped to win the Best Themed Award.

“We’ve won the award in the past, so we just tried to go with a bunch of silly things that represented ‘shenanigans,’” said Chairman Jerry Brooks. “We’re based out in Summerlin, so we had to put a tarp around everything just to make the drive out here.”

The weather played a positive role in the parade’s success. The morning was a cool 68 degrees with winds between 10 and 15 mph, according to the National Weather Service.

“In all, it was a clear sunny morning,” said meteorologist Reid Wolcott. “The weather was definitely nice for a parade.”

Although all attendees were in the holiday spirit, many evaded explaining the history behind St. Patrick’s Day.

“I wasn’t aware there was a reason behind it,” said Henderson resident Walter Greggers. “I thought it was just an excuse to drink green beer and eat corned beef.”

According to Linehan, the holiday honors Saint Patrick, an Irish patron saint who symbolizes freedom and religion.

“It’s a bigger holiday here in the United States than in Ireland,” Linehan said. “The celebration actually started here, and it just stuck.”

Although it was an Irish-themed festivity, participants were not required to be of Irish decent.

“We’re actually Scottish, but it’s close enough,” said Courtney McDonald of the House of Stuart Reenactment Guild. “We’re really just all about the heritage and supporting the culture.”

The St. Patrick’s Day Festival is set to continue through 7 p.m. Sunday at the Henderson Events Plaza, 200 S. Water St. Food and craft vendors, carnival rides, games and live entertainment are scheduled.

Contact View reporter Caitlyn Belcher at cbelcher@viewnews.com or 702-383-0403.