The History of the St. Patrick's Committee
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The idea to have an annual parade was born in the Shamrock Café in 1981. The idea was born from discussions between friends, Janet Schitter and Mary Jane Keusch. The first St. Patrick's Day Parade was held in March 1982. After the original parade a committee was formed to promote the Ireland community.
In 1986, the informal committee was incorporated as St. Patrick's Day Committee, Inc. Along with the annual parade, additional events were held. The annual parade and events were held until weather forced the cancellation in 2002. In 2009, discussions were held to start the St. Patrick's Holiday again. In 2010 St. Patrick's Celebration, Inc. was formed with Jeff Schitter as President. Other officers were Jason Sendelweck, Barb Leinenbach, Barb Nordhoff, Janet Schitter and Kathy Rinderknecht. In March 2010, the parade and other events including Miss Shamrock were held. Some of the St. Patrick's committee members traveled to West Virginia to observe their St. Patrick's celebrations events. They observed a fun activity called Road Bowling and saw an opportunity to bring it back to Ireland, Indiana. Held in September each year (Half-Way to St. Patrick's Day, Road Bowling has continued to be a huge success. St. Patrick's Celebration, Inc. continues to host the celebration each year in March, along with Road bowling in September. |