Tryon set to host annual St. Patrick's Day Parade

Staff reports
·2 min read

The parade route for Tryon's annual St. Patrick's Day Parade has been extended for 2024, as it will now go along Trade Street from Rogers Park to McCown Street.

According to a news release, the parade will begin at 2 p.m. March 17, and after it ends, it will be followed by a hooley, a traditional Irish social gathering featuring Irish music, dancing and storytelling.

Dancers perform at last year's St. Patrick's Day Parade in Tryon.
Dancers perform at last year's St. Patrick's Day Parade in Tryon.

“We have a great lineup for the hooley with the Carpenter Academy of Irish Dance; Amanda Dimond singing some lovely Irish tunes; Roe Sprouls on harp; pipers Kevin and Brendan Sprouls; The English Theatre Dance Company; and, Cailin & The Gentiles wrapping up the program,” said Parade co-founder and presenting sponsor Peg Brunk in the release.

Parade co-founder and local poet Greg Lobas said also he's excited about the lineup for the third year of the parade.

“Seems like this third year of the parade is the charm in that we have more parade participants and community sponsors. We’re all set for a great event that everyone can enjoy," he said in the release.

A bagpipe player performs at last year's St. Patrick's Day Parade in Tryon.
A bagpipe player performs at last year's St. Patrick's Day Parade in Tryon.

Listed below are the parade participants:

  • Kevin Sprouls & Brendan Sprouls Bagpipers

  • Fraternus & Parishioners of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church

  • Knights of Columbus Council 9492

  • American Legion Post 250

  • Parade Princess Kate Dow and Her Court of Irish Lasses

  • Little Detroit Car Club

  • Carpenter Academy of Irish Dance

  • Steps to Hope

  • Transylvania Cruisers Car Club

  • St. Patrick Himself Accompanied by Pope St. Pius V Lay Dominicans

  • (Compliments of the Ducotes, Partin and Fitch Families)

  • Local Fiddlers Accompanying Leprechaun Mike McEntee and His Little Leprechauns

  • Great Smoky Mountains Region Car Club

  • Z’s Mobile Pet Grooming

  • The “Paddy Pooches” Dog Contingent

  • The English Theatre Arts Dance Company

  • Polk County Sheriff Tim Wright

  • Mark Robinson for Governor Campaign

  • Tryon and Columbus fire departments

Organizers encourage dog owners to bring their well-behaved “Paddy Pooches” dressed up in Irish costumes to march along in the parade. The winner of the Best Dog Costume will win a $100 gift certificate from the Back Alley Boutique and Bud Bar.

Once the Parade has ended, there will be some Irish entertainment on the public square in front of Tryon’s Clock Tower. Car Club participants will be parked along McCown Street at the conclusion of the parade to give parade-goers the chance to take a look at the antique cars.

Sponsors include The Knights of Columbus Council 9492; Suzanne Devane of Asheville Realty Group; MDB Counseling Services; The Back Alley Boutique and Bud Bar and the Tryon Downtown Development Association. More details can be found on the parade’s Facebook page at Tryon NC St Patrick’s Day Parade.

This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: Route extended for Tryon's annual St. Patrick's Day Parade