St. Pat’s Day Celebration, Parade already growing in numbers

Last month, when the Cottleville Firefighters decided to put together the first ever Cottleville Firefighters’ Community Outreach “St. Pat’s Day Celebration” and “Run for the Helmet” to be held Saturday, March 14 in Old Town Cottleville, they hoped it would be big.

Now, just weeks after the announcement, organizer Tom Smoot says his phone is ringing off the hook.

“It looks like we’re going to have 3,000 people at this parade,” Smoot said. “We’ve hooked up with the Ancient Order of the Hibernians Chapter of St. Charles County and they’re going to get their members together for the event—all the Irish families, and the Irish dancers and more. They’re very excited to join a St. Charles County event.”

Smoot said it’s definitely turning into something big.

Everyone in St. Charles County is invited to join the festivities, and everyone who wants to join the parade is urged to get their green ready.

The parade is the perfect time for Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops to show their pride. Families, businesses, dog clubs and more are urged to show their green in Cottleville this year.

“Jive and Wail dueling piano bar is going to put together a float, Hansen Tree Service will bring in their huge monster truck, and we’re hoping to get the giant shopping cart from Schnucks,” Smoot said. “Everyone who wants to join the parade is invited. We figured why drive all the way Downtown for the parade and celebration when we can do this right here in St. Charles County.”

The day’s festivities will begin with a 4-mile run and a 1-mile walk, followed by what is definitely becoming a “huge parade.” The Fun Run will be certified by Fleet Feet, and the winner of the male and female positions will get authentic fire helmets as trophies. Following the race, the parade will travel down Hwy. N, though the exact parade route is yet to be determined.

“We’re so excited about the way the public has come forward for this event,” Smoot said. “We’ve got two bands who have volunteered to perform at the tent party at Sherlock’s Steak House parking lot after the parade, and it’s all coming together.”

Smoot said that the band, LOGOS, featuring three young men, former students at St. Joseph’s Catholic School, will bring their talents to liven up the afternoon. LOGOS has opened for legendary rockers such as Robin Trower, Todd Rundgren, April Wine, Blue Oyster Cult and Chuck Berry.

Cullen O'Donnell and Zach Czajkowski, both of Cottleville, started the group while in the eighth grade with Cullen on guitar and vocals and Zach on bass. The LOGOS sound is greatly derived from ‘60s and ‘70s progressive rock with a modern Indie twist thrown into the mix to appeal to both young and older generations. A music critic for Mercury News describes the LOGOS sound as "mature, ambitious, well-played...takes me back to the time that rock meant something and was fun."

In 2005, they cut their first record. Their music has been aired on HD radio, Internet radio, KSHE-FM and 105.7 The Point radio stations.

Another band, The Zonkies, will also perform.

Watch your Mid Rivers Newsmagazine for continued updates on the Cottleville St. Patrick’s Day festivities, and gather up all that’s green and go for the pot o’gold in Cottleville this Saint Patrick’s Day weekend.

Following the parade, Cottleville Old Town shops will be in full gala, and a tent celebration with all the fixin’s will be held in the Sherlock’s Restaurant parking lot.

The event will benefit the Cottleville Firefighters Community Outreach, a program that helps homeowners whose homes have been damaged by fire and also provides education and awareness programs for area youngsters. Funds raised through the organization are used strictly for helping the community, Smoot said.

“Not one cent of tax dollars is spent on our outreach,” Smoot said. “We’re hoping this parade will be big for the community, and big for our fundraising needs.”

Those who want to participate in the run can pick up forms at area businesses or by visiting Cottleville Fire Department Station One (Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). Cost of early race registration is $18, and day of registration is $23. Deadline for race registration is March 6 (for mail-in registration). There will also be a same day race registration at 8 a.m. prior to the race.

For more information contact Tom Smoot at 262-6749.