The city of Tonganoxie soon will be painting the town green, in honor of St. Patrick’s Day.

This year’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade is scheduled two days after the Irish holiday. It’s set for 10 a.m. March 19 in downtown Tonganoxie.

At this year’s festivities, as in years past, the event will include a corned beef and cabbage dinner, along with a book sale and a biscuits and gravy breakfast.

According to Debbie Breuer, one of the parade organizers, parade entrants should gather on Main Street near the swimming pool by 9:30 a.m. The Tonganoxie Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the parade, which will feature three monetary prizes in both the float and open divisions. It is open to anyone, and no pre-registration is necessary.

“Come one, come all, come green,” Breuer said.

Among groups that will appear in the parade are local Red Hat Societies, antique car club members, the Knights of Columbus, Masonic Lodge members, and the junior high and high school bands.

In addition, past Grand Leprechauns — the parade grand marshals — will be on hand to ensure the festivities are, well, festive.

One group that Breuer and other organizers would like to add this year is the Kansas City St. Andrew Pipes and Drums. The chamber is looking for help paying for the group’s appearance in Tonganoxie.

“Some real Irish people are going to live to have this presence,” Breuer said.

Anyone who is interested in helping finance the pipers and drummers visit to Tonganoxie is encouraged to call the Tonganoxie Chamber of Commerce office, 845-9244.

And, of course, fairies likely will be at work on the eve of the parade, painting a green stripe down Fourth Street.

“It just magically happens,” Breuer said. “It just appears.”

In addition to the St. Patrick’s Day parade, other events planned on March 19 include:

• Girl Scout Biscuits and Gravy Breakfast, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., Old Ratliff Drug Store, Fourth and Bury.
• Friends of the Library Book Sale, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Community Room, Tonganoxie Public Library, Third and Bury. The sale also will be available from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. March 18 for members of the Friends group.
• Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Congregational Church, Fourth and Shawnee, sponsored by P.E.O. Chapter AT Tonganoxie.