Irish eyes are smiling

Thousands turn out for 25th annual Irish Day parade and festival

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Thousands turned out for the 25th annual St. Brendan the Navigator Irish Day Parade and Festival last Saturday, graced by gorgeous weather and a sea of green.

The Ancient of Hibernians Division 17 hosts the event as a tribute to Irish culture. Marching in the parade were members of the Long Beach AOH, as well as other AOH divisions, pipe bands, steppers and local organizations. Additionally, AOH member Brendan Wagner, who was paralyzed in a car accident last year, took part in the parade with his AOH brothers.

The AOH chose lifelong Long Beach resident Randy Dodd to be the parade’s grand marshal this year. He is a 25-year member of the AOH, and part of the group’s honor guard and parade committee. Dodd, 69, is a well-known Long Beach lifeguard of 51 years and a former captain. He is also a former physical education teacher at Long Beach Catholic Regional School, and former recreation assistant superintendent for the City of Long Beach.

In addition to the festival and vendors along West Beech Street after the parade, for the first time, the city launched a “Kids’ Zone” at West School that featured family-friendly entertainment and age-appropriate activities for children.