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Photos and video: Wellsville World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade

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Story, video and photos by JOHN ANDERSON

Michael Roeske has been a licensed land surveyor for many years, but this was the first time he had to break out a tape measure.

He measured the 12 feet between the Wellsville Brewing Company and the end line at From The Hart on 108 North Main then certified the markings.

After that, a 17-minute parade took place, the shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the world.

The Irish God’s paused a heavy rain that took place all day just before the parade started. Sister Alice Roach, who will turn 92 this year, walked the route and then some as the Grand Marshal.

The rain held off and businesses and restaurants were filled and the sidewalks and streets were packed for hours after the 4:30 p.m. parade.

L’italia had outdoor food and drinks, you could barely move in the brewery, the service clubs were packed and became make-shift dance halls and Zoar played at the Field House.

And it was nice to see Better Days busy again, especially with the expansion as one side had the music of DJ Numo and the other filled with patrons playing pool and enjoying a great evening.

Meanwhile, Beef Haus had incredible specials and like any long night out, you could see people stopping at Pizza King for a slice on the way home!

It was a perfect event for a community, almost a celebration of good economic news that has come in waves (and it’s not done yet).

Here are some photos, a press release on the event and a short highlight video:

Video by John Anderson

Press release from Allegany County AOH:

All roads in Allegany County led to Wellsville for the the inaugural “Shortest” Saint Patricks Day parade sponsored by the Allegany County Ancient order of Hibernians, Division #1.   Event Coordinator Brian Cannon deemed the parade “ a fun, facility oriented celebration of Saint patrick as well as Irish Heritage in general.   This was both Wellsville’s and Allegany County’s first Saint Patricks day parade and we had a huge crowd of spectators on Main Street in the Central Business District of Wellsville.”

The Allegany County AOH would like to thank the Village of Wellsville, Mayor Randy Shayler, Trustee Mike Roeske, Clerk Wendy Seely as well as Dean Arnold and Brad mattisdon and the Wellsville DPW Crews that had to reline the parade routes green lines twice due to the rains that came in early Friday morning.   The Village has been extremely supportive of our event which we truly appreciate!

The weather turned out to be a non-factor as Sister Alice Roach fulfilled her duties as Parade Grand Marshall by walking the entire Parade Route with Jan Tertling and Bagpiper Steve Walker of Andover!   Sister Alice walked and presided over the parade without any rain shower hinting her connections to a higher power to stop the rains!

Trustee Mike Roeske, A New York State Licensed Surveyor and Village Trustees officially measured the parade route AT 12 FEET which is TWELVE (12) Feet outside line to outside lines at the intersection of South Eaton Court and Main street with North Eaton Court and Main Street, both Village Streets.

Our AOH Division would like to also thank our Parade participants as it would not be possible without them!  Our Local Unit 702 of the American Legion Auxiliary Color Guard presented the colors and USA Flag and we had Emma manlier pinch hit at the last minute and come over from her job at L’Talia to Sing our national Anthem which we and the Crowd truly appreciated! Our AOH and LAOH Brothers and Sister from Hornell came over and Marched with our Allegany County AOH Division  Our AOH Division followed behind our Grand Marshall Sister Alice and She was Accompanied by Jan telling and Local Piper Steve Walker of Andover and Walker Metalsmiths who always does an outstanding job leading local parades!

We had both the Village of Wellsville with Mike Roeske, Mayor Shayler and Staff and the Town of Wellsville with Supervisor Shad Alsworth March and have a unit in our Parade which we appreciated!  Our Shortest Parade also honored 2 local  Championship Sports teams including The Wellsville High School Section 5 Cheerleading Champions coached by Liz Huyler.  They also placed an incredible 5th Place overall in all of New York State which is a great accomplishment!   We also honored the Andover-Whitesville Girls Section V Class D2 Championship Team coached by Aaron Rawady and Jacob Bannerman as they were Repeat Section V Girls basket Champions this past season which also amazing and difficult to do!   We were honored that both of these teams which are class acts agreed to participate in our parade!

In addition the parade had a little something for everyone including the Joe and Lisa Kent’s tall Pines ATV Park as well as the World Debut of the Shenanigan Sisters as well as Joe hart and the Choir Boys which represented well the Wellsville Class of 1987!   Mike and Michelle Raptis had the “T.H” Man Float from the Texas Hot who everyone loves to see!   Our AOH Division had a truck entered with Leo and John Cannon dispensing candy to the parade Route behind a blow up Leprechaun in the back of the truck.   The Wellsville Chamber of Commerce was well represented in Green attire by Bruce Thomas and Karen Kania along with their members.   Last but definitely not least was our local Emerald Hook & Ladder Company #3 of Wellsville with both the marching Emeralds ahead of their Long Hook and ladder Fire Truck that took the longest to cross the Shortest 12 foot parade Route!

We believe everyone had a great time, the restaurants were very busy and Sister Alice provided us with a rain free parade-What more could we ask for!   Wellsville’s ‘Shortest 12 foot parade” is the place to be every March 17th!  Our next AOH Event is now getting ready for our June Irish Road Bowling Tournament in Kilbane Road in the Town of Andover! 

Allegany County AOH Facebook page has additional photos:   https://www.facebook.com/WellsvilleAOH

Photos by John Anderson:

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