Since 1988, the Tonganoxie St. Patrick’s Day Parade has been an annual event downtown in this southern Leavenworth County community.

This year’s parade begins at 10 a.m. and will run down Fourth Street in downtown Tonganoxie. It will start at Main Street and march down Fourth Street west, concluding at Shawnee Street.

Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three floats, open entries and best dressed pets, as well as the top band.

To register, forms may be picked up at the chamber office, online at www.tonganoxiechamber.org, Community National Bank, First State Bank and Trust, Mutual Savings Association, Tonganoxie City Hall, Tonganoxie Public Library, Tonganoxie Recreation Commission and The Mirror. If people are unable to pre-register, they also may register before the parade.

Other events are planned for Saturday as well. Starting at 7:30 a.m. at the Old Ratcliff Drug Store, local Girl Scouts will be serving biscuits and gravy, as well as beverages and some other baked goods. Organizer Ursula Kissinger said the group would serve until it runs out of food. Last year, they finished serving midway through the parade, Kissinger said.

From 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Tonganoxie United Methodist Church, Tonganoxie PEO Chapter AT will serve a corned beef dinner. At the dinner the Tullintrain West Pipes and Drums Bagpipe band will play after the parade at the church.

For more information about Saturday’s events, contact the chamber at (913) 845-9244. Sponsoring this year’s parade are Community National Bank, First State Bank and Trust, Mutual Savings Association and the City of Tonganoxie.

Other area St. Patrick’s day parades

Shawnee

The Annual Shawnee St. Patrick’s Day Parade begins at 1 p.m. Sunday. It starts on Johnson Drive at Monrovia Street and marches east to King Street. The Annual Great Duck Race is held immediately after the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Plastic ducks are raced beginning at 4:30 p.m. Proceeds benefit the Shawnee Sister Cities program.

Lawrence

The 22nd annual St. Patrick’s Day parade in Lawrence begins at 1 p.m. Tuesday. It runs north along Massachusetts Street, starting at South Park, and then proceeds across the Kansas River Bridge to 501 N. Ninth.

Topeka

The 30th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Topeka begins at noon Tuesday, leading off from Eighth and Jackson. All groups and individuals are welcome — no registration is required.

Kansas City

The 36th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade begins at 11 a.m. Tuesday, on Broadway in Kansas City, Mo., from 33rd Street south to 43rd Street.

Theme: Pioneering Spirit — The Irish in Kansas City.