Denver St. Patrick’s Day Parade Update!
Hello Parrot Heads! Are you ready for the 2017 Denver St. Patrick’s Day Parade? You will be after you read today’s newsletter, because I have ALL the info you need to make this one of our best parade days ever!
Friday: Float Finishing touches
Thanks to all the volunteers we had come out the last 2 weekends, most of the individual parts of our float is complete! Big thanks go to all of you who helped build, paint, and made a field of a bazillion poppies. Great job everyone!
There is still a bit of work to be done on the float this Friday. For those of you who have been part of our build and design team, we’ll be meeting Friday (tomorrow) at Pete’s house again around 10:00 AM. I can’t say for sure how long we will be there, but we’ll finish installing the items we couldn’t put up last weekend due to the high winds this week. Hopefully we can wrap it all up and enjoy an early happy hour to start the weekend!
Saturday: Parade Day
We’ll be loading the trailer beginning at 6:00 AM. Only those of you who will be helping with the final loading need to be there that early. The rest should sleep in, or maybe get a good pre-parade breakfast at the Fainting Goat (they open at 7:00 AM on parade day!)
Parade Day FAQs
Yes, we covered most of this last week, but I’ve added some more info. NOW it should cover everything you need to know. If not, email me back, or text me at 720-839-4572 with any last minute questions.
When and where is the parade? The St. Patrick’s Day Parade kicks off at 9:30 AM on Saturday March 11th in downtown Denver. Click here to view a map of the parade route.
Where do I go on parade day? If you are marching with us, you should arrive at our staging area by 8:30 AM on Saturday morning. You can enter the staging area at 33rd & Blake. We are Unit 1-12, and you will find us by following the signs for “Limerick Street” (where the large floats stage). Click here to view the Parade Information sheet with our parade day info. Bring this with you on parade day to help you find us.
Where do I park? Participants can park in the Coors Field Parking Structure on a first-come, first-served basis. Enter this parking garage at 27th and Blake. The garage will open at 7:00 AM, and will be closed at 9:00 AM. No cars will be allowed in after 9:00 AM. There is no fee to park here. Because it can be very busy on parade day, we recommend arriving early, carpooling, or using public transportation.
How should I dress for the parade? Our theme is “There’s No Place Like Margaritaville” and we would like everyone to dress in Wizard of Oz themed costumes. That means we want to see some Dorothy’s, Scarecrows, Tin Men (or women), Cowardly Lions, Munchkins, Witches (wicked & good), Flying Monkeys, etc. There are dozens of options for costumes in this theme, so get creative. Feel free to add a little touch of Parrot Head as well, but remember, ideally you will all get into the spirit of Oz!
What are the parade rules? You can read all the Denver St. Patrick’s Day Parade rules by clicking here. Please familiarize yourself with the rules. Based on previous years, the items that most need repeating are: Do not throw anything, and do not overdo it on the adult beverages before the parade. What you do after the parade is up to you… but this is a family event. Be responsible.
Who can participate? Active CPHC members who have wristbands can march with us, and can participate in our pre- and post-parade parties.
What about guests? We are not selling extra wristbands for guests, so you only get what you’re allotted based on your membership. However if you want to bring a guest with one of your wristbands, that is fine under two very important conditions:
- You are totally responsible for them and their behavior. Keep them in line before, during and after the parade. If you can’t do that, don’t bring them.
- Guests still need to dress in costume if they will be marching with our club. Help them get in the spirit of Oz/Margaritaville!
What is I haven’t gotten a wristband? If you haven’t gotten your wristband, please email me ASAP (before Saturday morning!) to let me know so we can make arrangements. We will not be processing new memberships on Saturday, nor will we have extra wristbands for you if you forget yours, or if you haven’t made arrangements with us to pick them up. Let me know now, TODAY, if you still need wristbands.
What does the wristband get me? It allows you to march with our group in the parade. It also means you can enjoy some of our pre- and post-parade beverages (assuming you’re over 21)
What do I bring on parade day? Yourself, your wristband, your ID (if you plan on drinking), and some cash to tip our hardworking volunteer truck driver, who is donating his time (unpaid) to haul our float. That is all. Do not bring anything you can’t carry during the parade, because we won’t have room to haul everyone’s stuff on the float. Bring only what you need.
Are we doing any hand-outs for the crowd? The club has ordered some emerald green beads to hand out, but it won’t be enough for the full route. As always, we appreciate volunteers who wish to bring additional beads or wrapped candy to hand out. We have a pilot truck this year that can carry this stuff for us, so you’ll have a place to drop it off when you arrive. Remember: YOU CANNOT THROW ANYTHING – PERIOD. You may hand items to the crowd but absolutely NO THROWING. This will cause us to be disqualified.
Will we have beer/drinks/jello shots on parade day? Who do you think we are? Of COURSE we will! we will have beer, margaritas and rum punch available to members with wristbands. We will start pouring in the staging area once the float is all ready-to-go. Consider arriving early to help out with last minute items so we can start pouring as soon as possible. We will not serve on the parade route, but we will serve again once we return back to the staging area after the parade. Members are encouraged to bring/share Jello shots, but you should not give any to individuals outside our group (look for those wristbands). Also, no sharing them with the crowd during the parade. Again, this is a family event, so enjoy a drink before the parade but please save your heavy drinking for the after party.
Will there be food available at the staging area? No, so please have a good breakfast before you come. We suggest checking out the Irish Breakfast as The Fainting Goat! The Goat will be serving a full Irish breakfast beginning at 7:00 AM.
Are kids welcome? Yes, of course! Kids over the age of 5 can march in the parade. Kids under 5 cannot march, so they will need to be in strollers, wagons, etc.
Can I ride on the float? We have very limited space on the float this year, so we are making it available only for members who need to ride due to a physical condition. If you need to ride on the float, please reply to this email to let me know ASAP. Otherwise, if you’re healthy enough to walk, please plan on walking.
Do you need volunteers on parade day? YES! We will need 2-3 people to help check IDs and stamp hands for people who will be drinking. We may also need volunteers to ride in the pilot truck to hand out beads and candy (we’ll know when we arrive). Finally, we always need help with many finishing touches on parade day, so if you can arrive early please do. We should be in the lot by around 8:00 AM.
What do I need to be aware of during the parade? First and foremost, watch out for the truck and trailer, especially when they’re taking a turn. Please keep a safe distance. Also watch out for your fellow Parrot Heads and let Dave, Jeff, or someone on the float know immediately if you see anyone in distress, or who may have indulged a bit too much. One drunken Parrot Head can ruin the fun for everyone, so keep an eye out for each other.
Where are we meeting after the parade? We will be drinking in the parking lot for a while after the parade, but then the party will move to The Fainting Goat. Again this year The Fainting Goat is our float sponsors and will be hosting our parade after-party. We hope that all participants stop by for a pint or two (or more) to thank them for their sponsorship and support! Yes, parking can be limited around there, but there are plenty of metered spaces nearby. Better yet, be safe and smart and take Lyft or Uber.
When are we dismantling the float? Sunday morning, March 12, we’ll be meeting at the build lot to disassemble the boat. We will need a lot of help, since we need to tear down & get everything off the property that day. Please plan on joining us, even if it’s just for an hour or two. Tear down will likely start around 9:00 AM.
Thanks in advance for a great parade day!
We have such an amazing phlock that I’m certain that this Saturday will be a great time! I cannot wait to enjoy the day with all of you, as we crazy Parrot Heads in Wizard of Oz costumes storm the streets of Denver. It’s going to be a wonderful day! In case I don’t get to thank you personally on parade day for all you’ve done to make this year awesome, consider this your thanks.
See you this weekend. Fins Up!
Jeff Estes
President, Colorado Parrot Head Club
P.S. Yes, we will have a meeting this month. We’ll meet at Hopper’s on Saturday March 18th. But let’s worry about that next week… we’ve got a parade to get ready for!