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Mr. Finnegan
(aka Jerome Carver)
Shenanigan's
Official Mascot
The Story of
St. Patrick
When Sarah Morrison was Colleen in 2005, she wanted to give something back to the club and she noticed the lack of a St. Pat in our parade. Sarah and her Mother, Tamara, designed, bought the materials, and than had the costume made by Teresa Simmons (Sarah & her Mother made the headpiece) at a total cost of over $300 as a gift to the club that year. Tamara asked Vester Wentzel if he would volunteer to portray St. Patrick that year so the costume was made loosely so anyone could wear it, but with Vester in mind. Fortunately for us, he graciously continued to portray St. Pat each year until his untimely death in 2012.
Sarah Morrison |
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QUICK
FACTS
Date: Sunday, March 18, 2012
2pm
Downtown Gulfport
Established: 1985
Parade Coordinator: Lois West
Parade Marshal: Bob Brewer
Publicity Coordinator: Vicki Miller
Grand Marshal: Greg Crapo
Colleen: Shea Williams
(Scroll down for info on Grand Marshal & Colleen)
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Quota MS Gulf Coast mourns the loss of our dear friend
Vester Wentzel
lovingly known to us as "St. Patrick"
He was a loving, warm and generous man who will
be greatly missed. In honor of his many years of
being a part of Shenanigan's, we dedicate
the 2012 Parade to his memory.
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
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Scenes from the 2004 Parade - the last parade that was held on Courthouse Road before Hurricane Katrina |
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Sponsored
by the MS Gulf Coast Chapter of Quota International, Shenanigan's is a family-oriented
parade, held on the third Sunday in March each year.
The
popular tourist event and local favorite, celebrates the Irish heritage of
so many of us on the MS Gulf Coast, as well as the many blessings we enjoy:
faith, family and friends.
The parade includes more than 50 units, with marchers, antique cars, floats,
bag pipes and more. Spectators come from as far away as 100 miles, to catch
the unique "prizes" thrown from the many colorful units... wooden
nickels, beads, mini green beer steins, cabbages, potatoes and onions.
Entries in the parade are judged on their creativity, and awarded prizes at
the disband site.
The parade's Grand Marshal and a Colleen are selected each year by members of the Quota Club.
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