Everyone is invited to attend the 43rd Annual Minneapolis St. Patrick's Day Parade,  which will begin at 6:30 pm and run north up the Nicollet Mall from 13th Street to 5th Street.
Sean Olson is again the lead and presenting sponsor of the parade. New to the parade this year will be the Murphy Brigade, a marching unit of families, companies and friends whose last name is Murphy.  Interested persons who wish to be a part of the Murphy Brigade may contact the Association at 763-234-7111, 612-816-8750 or visit the Association at www.mplsstpats.org.  Or they may simply arrive at Nicollet and 13th, in front of the Millenium Hotel and line up under the Murphy Brigade marching banner.
Nominees for this year's civic grand marshal are:  Ralph Burnet, Don Shelby, Charlie Hoag, Kieran Folliard,Wally The Beer Man ( Wally O'Neal ) and Neerland and Oyaas  (Charles Neerland and Mark Oyaas.)
Nominees for Irish American Business Woman are:  Mary Kelly Leer, Megan O'Hara Rybak, Judith McGrann, Nora Murphy Truelson, and Jane Minton.
Also new this year will be the Saint Paul Ambassador, a parade position honoring a notable member of St. Paul's Irish.  Nominees include:  Dan O'Gara, Dennis McGrath, Dave Brooks,  Pat and Tim Gallivan, Mayor Chris Coleman and Tim Grady. All St. Paulites will be invited to march behind the Saint Paul Ambassador. At press time the Saint Paul Ambassador has not been chosen.
The Blarney Blast Party the official Minneapolis St. Patrick's Day post parade
party will be at Seven Steakhouse at 7th and Hennepin. All are welcome. All proceeds from button sales go to the Diabetes Foundation, Camp Needlepoint.  The first Minneapolis St. Patrick's Day Association button was created in 1970 to promote spirit and raise money for The American Diabetes Association. Now, you can buy button and
bead set for $5.00 each to help raise money for Camp Needlepoint.