26 + 6 = 1 Tiocfaidh ár lá

Every year the parade has a theme. This is mostly for the floats of the East, and West Side Irish clubs; very few other people notice. Now, they have picked a political one, Ireland: One Island One Nation. Ireland has 32 counties, that are part of two states. The Republic of Ireland has 26 counties, and the United Kingdom (Britannia) has 6. Those that remained with Britain have been under Protestant control.

          

26 + 6 = 1    

From year to year the long list of marching units have generally the same roster as the year before. Some groups are new, and some drop out. Always there are old cars, horses, dogs, bagpipers, high school bands. People expect and enjoy seeing them. Other regular marchers are:  construction trade unions, police, fire, military, festivals, and Catholic groups; this year very few businesses, and politicians. They have had them before. This year the lone politician is Irish, and has been in the parade for years. Thank Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and all their carpenter, and fisherman friends that the repuke senator wannabees are not. The primary is on the following Tuesday. The Cleveland Columbus Day parade was infested with repuke candidates for state wide office. I wonder if any groups are not there on account of the one Ireland theme. The color for the day is green, and not orange.

 1946 Mack firetruck

We had a full Cleveland weather day: rain, snow, clouds, sun, and wind—then shuffle and repeat.

A late entry, but marching way up front as the fourth unit was the 101st Airborne Division Army Band.

 A St. Helen's unicyclist dribbling a basketball.

Ukrainian Cultural Arts & Kashtan School of Ukrainian Dance

knitting wool amongst props

Greyhound Adoption of Ohio marched. A fine lovely group of hounds, some from Ireland needing homes. I think this fellow is Oz. Many more boys in the group. We had Argos from Tipperary for six months last year, he succumbed to heart ailments.

A favorite cartoon for me as a child was Mighty Mouse.

Near the end of the parade a line of police bike riders are met with open hands and smiles of children.

I think, this was the Cultural Gardens first time. One fellow was from Juarez.

Some of the Glory Drum Team of Cleveland returning to their rides.

 

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