HOLMES BEACH – This year’s Anna Maria Island St. Patrick’s Day Parade included two camels, three pirate ships, multiple floats, costumed people and many local businesses and non-profit organizations.
The Sunday, March 15, parade was presented by Duncan Real Estate and co-sponsored by AMI Dolphin Tours, Duffy’s Tavern, and The Center of Anna Maria Island.
Last year’s St. Patrick’s Day parade was canceled due to stormy weather, but this year’s parade was blessed with excellent weather.
About 30 minutes before the parade began, residents and visitors began lining up alongside Marina Drive, while others searched for viewing spots along the parade route.
Original Sand Dollar owner Julia Duytschaver and Original Sand Dollar employee Claire Fuchs and AMI Outfitters owner Jennifer Hagey secured a nice viewing location near the skate park.
“It is awesome to see such a large part of the community gather,” Duytschaver said as the parade began.
“The parade was fantastic. It was so well-done,” Hagey said. “I used to take my son and daughter to the parade. It’s so fun to see.”
Agents and staff from the Michael Saunders & Company real estate in Holmes Beach office welcomed parade spectators and offered them free hot dogs, chips, bottled water, beads and hand fans.
Before the parade began, the parade participants lined up in the staging area near Holmes Beach City Hall.
At 4 p.m., the parade began proceeding toward Anna Maria, traveling along Marina Drive, Palm Drive, and Gulf Drive, and into Anna Maria before turning left onto Pine Avenue en route to The Center on Magnolia Avenue.
Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer led the parade, riding on one of the police department’s all-terrain vehicles.
The Duncan Real Estate float was the first of many parade participants who threw beads and other items to the crowds that lined the streets. Many other local businesses, organizations and community groups also participated in the parade that celebrated the Island community’s St. Patrick’s Day spirit.
The participating organizations and businesses included the Anna Maria Island Garden Club, the Anna Maria Island Privateers, Islanders 4 Clean Water, the Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge, AMI Dolphin Tours and many others.
Parade participants and attendees embraced the holiday spirit and wore festive green clothing, hats and beads in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day.
As the parade made its way down the parade route, spectators eagerly collected the beads, candy and other treats that were tossed to them.
When sharing her post-parade thoughts on Monday morning, Duncan Real Estate Owner Darcie Duncan, who’s Irish, said, “The weather was perfect, the streets were lined with so many happy faces and lots of shenanigans were to be had. The parade has been part of the fabric of our community for many years and it is important to me to keep the tradition going. That is what community is all about and we just love that we can be a part of that. A big shout out to my Duncan Real Estate team; and thanks also to Chris Culhane, The Center, Ben Webb and Peggi Davenport. We can’t wait for next year! Slainte.”
Anna Maria Island St. Patrick’s Day Parade photo gallery:
