Allegany County Ancient Order of Hibernians has a big celebration planned!!
From the “HIbernians”, pictured is Sister Alice Roach in the 2023 inagural parade
The second annual “Worlds Shortest Saint Patricks Day Parade” sponsored by the Allegany County Ancient order of Hibernians (AOH) Division is expected to be a larger parade with even more interesting new and repeat entries according to AOH Event Chairperson Brian Cannon:
“It will again be a short, fun and family oriented parade that Kicks off the Upcoming Saint Patricks Day week of celebrate Irish heritage and History here in Wellsville and Allegany County, NY. Our AOH Shortest parade will again traverse the Twelve Feet (12’) across the intersection of North Main Street and Eaton Court in the Village of Wellsville which is between Wellsville brewing and From the Hart Irish Shop in the center of Wellsville, NY”.
Cannon expects the Village of Wellsville DPW to be painting the Emerald Green start and finish lines for the Shortest parade a day or two before the Parade on Friday, March 15th. Nick Davis of Genesee Valley Media in Wellsville, NY will again working his magic with photos, video and images from street level as well as ariel drone video from above the shortest parade, weather permitting. John Anderson is also expected to be roaming the parade route reporting on this unique event!
The Village Police Department will shut down the Main Street Block of the Parade Route to outside through traffic at 4 Pm to allow the AOH Team to line up the parade entries and participants. Spectators can look for the green Emeralds Hook and Ladder Fire truck that always brings up the end of the parade that will be on the South end of the Main Street block. Key Details for the second annual Worlds Shortest Saint Patricks day parade are as follows:
Parade Expected Start Time: 4:45 pm Friday March 15th, 2024
Parade Entries/Units to be lined up before the parade: 4 pm – 4:40 pm on Main Street
Parade Route Length: TWELVE FEET (12’)-Will again be measured, documented & witnessed before the Parade!
2024 Parade Grand Marshall; Rosie O’Grady from Wellsville, NY
AOH Parade official Piper: Stephen Walker of Walker Metalsmiths in Andover, NY
AOH Divisions Expected to March in Parade: At least 3-Allegany County, Steuben County and Cattaraugus County AOH Divisions
Parade Announcer: Trish Haggerty of Wellsville, NY
Last years’ Parade time : 17 minutes
Official Aerial Drone Imaging: Nick Davis & Genessee Valley Media-Wellsville, NY
The Worlds Shortest Saint Patricks’ Day Parade will go forward rain or shine! Last year’s Grand Marshall, Sister Alice Roach will again march in the parade, This year as “Grand Marshall Emeritus” and she and Jan Terteling will March with AOH Divisions. This years’ Grand Marshall Rosie O’Grady along with last years Grand marshall-Sister Alice Roach will be available pre and post parade for Photo ops in Wellsville Brewing at the heart of the parade Route-stop in and say hello to both of them.
If any spectators need anything green including Irish hats, Blackthorne walking sticks, Irish Sweaters, Nancy Harts “From The Hart” Irish Shop on the North End of the Parade route will be Open early and late to get you ready for the parade and Saint Patricks day Weekend
After the National Anthem, Wellsville Legion Auxiliary Color Guard, Unit 702 In addition to the local AOH Divisions that will be marching, there will be many participants expected again from last years inaugural AOH Shortest Saint Patricks Day parade including the local Shenanigan Sisters, Tall Pines ATV Park in Andover, Wellsville Chamber of Commerce, Joe Hart and the Wellsville High School “Class of 1987 Choir Boys: (Do these lads really sing?) as well a Mayor Randy Shaylor and the Village of Wellsville Trustees as well as Town Of Wellsville and Supervisor Shad Alsworth. This years parade also is expected to have many more local and unique parade units with an Irish theme including the Andover Haunted House Committee (Halloween was actually started in ireland to chase away the bad spirits at Celtic harvest festivals), the Andover Bicentennial Committee, CTC Signs & Certified Safety Products of(Andover) NY, the Belfast, NY Bicentennial Committee, Bokman of Wellsville, The David Howe Library, Kate Martelle’s Dance Studio. Wellsville’s Famous Emerald Hook & Ladder Fire Company will conclude this year’s Shortest Saint Patrick’s Day Parade with the marching Emeralds followed by their Emerald Green Hook & Ladder truck.
Last year’s inaugural parade drew a large crown to Wellsville from all over New York state and well as many surrounding states. All the Wellsville downtown and area restaurants and Pubs will be open before and after the parade and most feature Irish fare in addition to their regular menus.
It is still not too late to have your organization in the Parade. Contact AOH member Brian Cannon at aohcannon@gmail.com or visit the Allegany County AOH Facebook page at www.facebook.com/WellsvilleAOH to get entered in Wellsville’s “Worlds Shortest Saint Patricks Day Parade” on Friday March 15th, 2024.
The local AOH Division guarantees that everyone will have a great time and witness the worlds shortest Saint Patricks Day parade and experience the hospitality of Wellsville, NY. Come early, stay late and sample the many restaurants and pubs in the Wellsville area.
The Wellsville Sun will have post Shortest Parade photos online in the days after the parade.
