"When will it start mommy?"
"Soon dear."
"Do you see them waaaay down there?"
"Yes dear."
"Were you REALLY Miss Shamrock?"
"I was."
You're still pretty mommy!"
"Thank you."
"Here they come! Here they come!"
"I see."
"Mommy! Miss Shamrock just waved at us!!!!!" She's Pretty Just like you!
"Wave back to your sister."
The tortoise of time pauses and smiles. His Journey continues .
History- What a wonderful word. It can signify the end of an era "The fight is over! He is history!" I can mark the start of an era "You are witnessing History in the making!" It can even mark the end of love " I am through! We are history!" It is when we here the term "History repeats itself", THAT is when we want to know why? How?
History has repeated itself 70 times in Shamrock Texas. Every St. Patrick's Day weekend since 1946 the town polishes the Blarney Stone, paints the town green and celebrates in a way the is refreshing and will bring a smile to your face.
This is city pride at it's best. Folks start to line up downtown almost as early as the participants. That is more than likely because their husband, wife son or daughter is in the parade. So yes, the local towns people are the stars. Firetrucks from other local towns, as well as Police cars lead the parade, as it has since the beginning. With sirens cutting through the crisp morning air the parade begins. Children and adults run to the edge of the street to not only get the best view possible, but to ready themselves for the history making event. Children riding on the firetrucks toss candy in a seemingly wanton manner, until they see someone they know, then the candy is strategically lobbed in their direction. The only exception to the candy being tossed is when someone's mother or grandmother is spotted. Then the truck stops and allows them to approach, and candy is politely handed to them. A kiss on the cheek will be exchanged with a "see you at dinner tonight." Other local businesses also compete for the approval of the crowds, by driving cars laden with more candy, or some other item tossed into the crowd.
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| Respect is always given to everyone in Shamrock. |
History continues as the parade moves on. Candy that has been tossed is quickly gathered, and will come to a halt as the color guard passes by. Everyone stops and hats are removed, children stand in silence as the flags of the United States and the US Navy pass by. Children are reminded of the sacrifices people have suffered for our country, and the importance of civic duty. Friends wave and give a hearty "Thank You" as the VFW float as it passes by. Even entertaining participants are an opportunity for learning. As the Shriners rode by, I heard a parent explain to her son, "The Shriners help raise money for children that are very sick" They come to the parades to thank us for our help."
No parade is with beauty and Shamrock continues to honor the past with their own "Shamrock Queen" or Miss Irish Rose. Her court is honored and met with approving applause as she passes by. I am sure the proudest was her Grandmother who made sure everyone knew that the beautiful young lady at the front was HER Granddaughter.
The parade seems to be over much too quickly and the crowds begins to dissipate. It is now lunch and the carnival is only here for one more night. The rides are crowded and the local restaurants are packed. Yet no one seems to mind because there is plenty to talk about while waiting in line. Comparisons are made to other years' parades and plans are already being made for next year. The conversations will drift back to the good old days, and "remember when?" will start more sentences then there was candy being tossed today.
This is an event best experienced in person. There might be bigger parades. There might be longer parades. Heck this is NO Macy's day parade by any stretch of the Imagination . Shamrock's is better. Thank God history does repeat itself.
For more information about next years' parade and schedule of events follow them on Facebook at this link Shamrock Texas St. Patrick's events
For information about the the great city of Shamrock, it's attractions and museums visit the city website. City of Shamrock Texas web site.
Visit my link here for for a You Tube video from their past event in 2016. Shamrock Parade and events video.
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