McCaffrey, one of the organizers of Tonganoxie’s 13th annual St. Patrick’s Day parade, says the number of parade entries hinges on the weather. Rain can ruin the turnout.

No registration is necessary.

“They don’t have to,” McCaffrey said. “Just be at the swimming pool.”

The parade, sponsored by the Tonganoxie Chamber of Commerce, kicks off at 10 a.m. at the swimming pool, heads south to Fourth Street, then west down Fourth to Church Street.

“They’ll be painting a green stripe down Fourth Street,” McCaffrey said. “It goes all the way. They do it about 4:30 in the morning.”

Businesses, groups and individuals are welcome to participate in the 2000 parade.

“We’ll take walkers and joggers and floats and bicycles. Anything they want to put in. Snakes. Tell them to bring their snakes out,” said McCaffrey, referring to St. Patrick, who is credited with driving snakes from Ireland.

At the conclusion of the parade, chapter AT of P.E.O. will host a lunch of corned-beef and cabbage or stew, as well as desserts. The lunch will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Congregational Church, 303 E. Fourth. Tickets are available at the door or in advance for $5 at local banks, at Evans Real Estate or from any member of chapter AT.

Again this year, elementary school students will decorate windows of downtown businesses. Chamber members will judge the students’ work and will award prizes.

Everyone whose birthday is in March is invited to ride on the birthday float. Anyone wanting to ride on the float should meet at 9:30 a.m. at the swimming pool.

“Bring a folding chair so they can sit on the float,” McCaffrey said.

For additional information about parade, call John McCaffrey, 845-2172, or Debbie Breuer, 369-3715 or 369-0100.