Big Crowd Shows Up For Shortest St. Patrick's Day Parade Rainy Weather Didn't Dampen Celebratory Spirits | By Jerry E. Clark
| Clifton Forge, VA (March 17, 2017) - A small bit of light rain didn't dampen the spirits of a big crowd which showed up for the annual "Shortest St. Patrick's Day Parade" in Virginia (if not the nation) today.
And to top off the event, the parade marshall, artist Allen Hickman, also was celebrating his 99th birthday. The crowd happily sang "Happy Birthday" to the celebrated painter, who showed off his "ugly" knees.
Part of the event was the popular ugliest knees contest (which may have also had the description of boniest knees). The contest was judged by Tamara Reid, who told the Journal that she was well-qualified to be a judge because SHE had bony knees.
In the end, Drew Hepler, a Selma resident, took the honors.
Other ugly knees contestants were Joe Coffman, Steve Brackenridge, Griff Peters, Brian Rieilly, John Goldberg, and Mike Happe.
Brian White won the raffle, good for a $40 prize.
The participants gathered, along with "Nessie" pulling up the rear, paraded across Ridgeway Street with most ending up at Jack Mason's Tavern to continue celebrating. | | | |
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