Submitted by Bellingham St. Patrick’s Day Parade
The Bellingham St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee is pleased to announce that Bellingham Fire Chief Bill Newbold has been named Grand Marshal of the Sixth Annual Bellingham St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The parade takes place on March 14, 2015 in downtown Bellingham, starting at noon.
“The Bellingham St. Patrick’s Day Parade committee chooses our Grand Marshal each year based on their leadership and dedication to our community,” said parade committee organizer Janet Lightner. “We’re so pleased that Chief Newbold will be this year’s Grand Marshal, since the parade is dedicated to local law enforcement and fire and safety personnel.”
Lightner cordially invites the public to the official Sashing Ceremony, when Chief Newbold will be presented with the Grand Marshal sash. The event takes place on Thursday, February 26, at 1:00 p.m. at Bellingham Fire Department Station 1, 1800 Broadway, Bellingham.
“It means a lot to me to be chosen as Grand Marshal of the Bellingham St. Patrick’s Day Parade,” said Chief Newbold. “It will be a fun community event and a great day to be in downtown Bellingham.”
The parade starts at noon on March 14, 2015 at the corner of Cornwall Avenue and Ohio Street. Traditional Irish music will fill the air as downtown Bellingham fills with spectators of all ages, watching the passing marching bands, bicycle groups, Bellingham Fire Department’s Pipes and Drums, and local businesses and nonprofits.
The committee invites marching bands, neighborhood associations, schools, musical groups, dancers and green and local businesses to participate. Entry is free and open to all family-friendly, non-political groups. The parade committee encourages floats and bands to sign up online. Everyone else may sign up or just show up at the staging area (parking lot of Woodsmiths, the Habitat Store, Cool Beans Espresso, Mobile Music and Two Thimbles) between 11:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
From the starting point, the parade travels south on Cornwall, turning left onto Chestnut St., then right onto Railroad. Cross streets will be detoured briefly during the parade on March 14.
For more information, to participate or view the parade route map, go to www.stpatsbham.com.
