Jaffrey is about to turn green once again as it hosts its 2nd Annual Jaffrey St. Patrick's Day Parade. The parade debuted last year and had an estimated audience of 750 people. This year the organizers have more marching bands, more organizations marching plus the addition of floats and Irish dancers. The parade is produced by the Jaffrey Betterment Association, Team Jaffrey and the Jaffrey Chamber of Commerce.
The parade begins at 1pm on Sunday, March 17 at the front of St. Patrick's Parish on Main Street in downtown Jaffrey. The procession then moves east down to the center of downtown Jaffrey and marches in front of the construction site of Jaffrey's new performing arts center, The Park Theatre.
Bands include Conant High School Concert Band, Hill's Band Wagon, The Pipes & Drums of NHSCOT, and the Keene American Legion Band. Traditional Irish dancing is presented by The Flying Irish Dancers of Ashby, MA. The 6th New Hampshire Infantry Company E Civil War organization will be marching as well.
"I wouldn't be surprised if we doubled our attendance figures this year. We hear people are coming from all over the Monadnock region plus Vermont and Massachusetts. The entertainment factor just keeps growing and growing," said Kevin Hampsey, founder and executive producer of the new annual event. "We now have 38 businesses sponsoring the parade, That's a wonderful endorsement," added Hampsey. The parade organization also makes multiple donations to area non-profits with proceeds from the event.
More information can be found at the parade website:www.jaffreystpatsparade.com
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