Everyone welcome to join in on the “Day When Everyone Is Irish”

Ty (Tyler) Knott is pictured at right in this photo from 2006. He is this year’s Grand Marshall. Pictured with him are his mother, Georgena, who was the Irish Mother in 2006, and Pat Brosnahan, the Grand Marshall in 2006. Submitted Photos

**Julie Fitzpatrick Lamaack is this year’s Irish Mother.**

The annual St. Patrick’s Day parade on March 16 will start at 1 p.m. and will be packed with a lot of family heritage.

This year’s Irish Mother is Julie Fitzpatrick Lamaack, originally from Denison and now from Breda. Thirty years ago, Julie’s grandfather, Emmet Fitzpatrick, was the parade’s Grand Marshall.

This year’s Grand Marshall is Ty Knott, originally from Denison and now from Pisgah. His mother, Georgena Knott, was the Irish Mother in 2006.

“There is a lot of heritage, a lot of family history this year and we're really excited about it,” said Susan Brosnahan Grau, the parade organizer. “I think all of our families kind of grew up together and so we've all been family friends.”

She said Ty and her brother, Mark, now deceased, were best friends. They graduated from Denison High School in 1976.

“They were older than me, but we all played together and ran around together,” she added.

So strong was the friendship between Ty and Mark that when Susan asked Ty to be the Grand Marshall, he said he would do it on one condition.

“I asked what the one condition was,” said Susan. “He answered, ‘I want you to put in memory of Mark Brosnahan on there.’”

“On the sign?”

“Yup, and I want to have a picture of Mark so I can have him right along with me,” Ty responded.

“I thought, ‘Oh, my God, that’s just the kind of bond we all have,’” Susan said.

Story Ads 1

**Pictured is Mark Brosnahan, who was a good friend to Ty Knott.**

**Pictured is Ed Brosnahan, Susan Brosnahan Grau’s father.**

**Emmet Fitzpatrick waves from his car in the 1994 St. Patrick’s Day parade. He is the grandfather of this year’s Irish Mother, Julie Fitzpatrick Lamaack.**

Starting time for the March 16 parade is 1 p.m. Line-up is in front of the post office on 1st Avenue North between 12 and 12:30 p.m.

The American Legion leads the parade, followed by the sheriff and the fire department, and then all the families and businesses.

The parade route is south on North Main to Broadway, east on Broadway to 16th Street, and then north on 16th Street back to 1st Avenue North.

Anyone can join in the parade, said Susan, and added that having an entry in the parade is great free publicity for businesses.

She added that she’s reached out to Latino-owned businesses to encourage them to enter the parade.

“I would just love for them to be a bigger part of the parade,” she said.

This is the 34th year for the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Denison. Susan said the annual event was started by Joe and Marilyn Curnyn. Then Brian O’Neill was the parade organizer for a number of years. When he passed away, Susan took over.

“Joe and my dad (Ed) were really good friends,” Susan said. “My dad died 34 years ago on March 16, so he didn’t even get to see the first St. Patrick’s Day parade in Denison. But Joe came in his outfit to see my dad the day he died, so Joe brought the parade to my dad.

“It’s just why I’m so passionate about the parade, because I know that it meant a lot to our parents and all of our clans,” she continued. “It meant a lot to our parents’ heritage, and I just love that the kids have taken it on and are continuing the parade.”

Susan said a special feature for this year’s parade will be a bagpipe player on the Curnyns’ parade entry.

Also look for Susan’s sister, JoAnn Beymer, tossing out foil-wrapped baked potatoes. It has been a favorite attraction at many of the St. Patrick’s Day parades in Denison.

“She lives in Illinois, and they used to go to the Chicago parade all the time. That’s how she started doing this. It’s funny, because when people see us coming, they yell out ‘I want a potato, please.’”

The warm baked potatoes are especially welcome when there’s a chill in the air on the day of the St. Patrick’s Day parade.

And, as always, there will be plenty of candy tossed out to the kids, and adults, so come with a bag to collect your treats.