Two decades ago, a group of Irish American locals got together at Fat Face Fenner’s Falloon on Hermosa Avenue and conceived of a way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in their beach city. Twenty one years later, Hermosa Beach still celebrates March 17 with a grand parade through its city streets.
Since that first parade in 1994, what began as a group of Irish-Americans celebrating their heritage has grown into a hometown event drawing thousands to the streets of Hermosa Beach. The parade draws more than 30,000 spectators of residents, visitors and participants every year.
The parade almost died four years ago when Hermosa Beach had to cut the celebration from its annual budget. The Chamber of Commerce volunteered to take over the event and incur the almost $15,000 the parade costs every year.
Over 100 local businesses, civic organizations and school marching bands will take part in the seven block parade down the beautifully restored Pier Avenue. The Irish theme of Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated by the many participants in the festivities including bagpipers from the Emerald Society, floats, horses and four legged friends from the Irish Setters Club of Southern California. Sponsors of the 2015 parade include Kinecta Credit Union, Athens Services, E&B Natural Resources, Chevron and Scotty’s.
Last year’s participants included scouts troops, elected officials and city honorees and South Bay Roller Derby. There were also the surprise favorites, like Olympic ice skater and Hermosa Beach resident Gracie Gold dressed in green and waving to fans from a red 1936 Packard driven by Maurice O’Brien of the El Segundo Automobile Driving Museum. Other favorites included the Hermosa Beach Mounted Police and leprechaun PJ Pauley slaloming down Pier Avenue in his go kart.
“It will be another grand parade,” said Corinne Ybarra of the Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce. Ybarra’s mother in law, Jean Cullen, is co-chair of the event along with J. Travers Devine. “We already have 98 entrant applicants and we will be announcing our Grand Marshall soon.”
The parade begins at 11 a.m. at the staging area near City Hall on Valley Drive, makes a left onto Pier Avenue and ends at the corner of Hermosa Avenue and 10th street. For more information on getting involved in the Hermosa Beach St. Patrick’s Day Parade as a participant, a spectator, or to become an event sponsor, visit hbchamber.net.
