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Shamrockin’ good time in Dysart on St. Patrick’s Day

City inaugurates new parade tradition

Dysart Mayor Tim Glenn dressed in a kilt, sporting a fake orange beard and carrying a golf iron, waves to the crowd at the head of his town’s first annual St. Patrick’s Day parade on March 17, 2022, in downtown Dysart. –Photo by Soren M. Peterson
Dysart Police Officer Jeremy Stenda smiles while staying dry and warm from inside his police vehicle at the head of the St. Patrick’s Day parade in downtown Dysart on March 17, 2022. –Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker
Golf carts decked out in St. Patrick’s Day trimmings – including a golf cart driven by Bobby Torres (center) of Bobby’s Grocery and BBQ – make their way down Dysart’s Main Street as part of the town’s inaugural St. Patrick’s Day parade on March 17, 2022. –Photo by Soren M. Peterson
Curt Hilmer, Republican candidate for Tama County Supervisor District 1, marches in Dysart's St. Patrick's Day parade on March 17. Photo by Soren M. Peterson
Republican statehouse candidate Derek Wulf (right) of Hudson participates in Dysart’s first annual St. Patrick’s Day parade by horseback on March 17, 2022. –Photo by Soren M. Peterson
Dysart Ambulance Service Director Julie Scadden waves to the crowd from inside an ambulance as part of the St. Patrick’s Day parade held in downtown Dysart on March 17, 2022. –Photo by Soren M. Peterson
Harper’s Public House in downtown Dysart pictured following the city’s inaugural St. Patrick’s Day parade on March 17, 2022. –Photo by Soren M. Peterson

The party didn’t start on St. Patrick’s Day in downtown Dysart until Mayor Tim Glenn showed up in his kilt and orange beard to kick off Iowa’s ‘shortest parade on St. Patrick’s Day’ this past Thursday, March 17.

At a recent city council meeting, the mayor made the announcement that after working with downtown business owner Jenna Scott of Harper’s Public House, the city would begin a new tradition of holding a parade at 12:15 p.m. in honor of St. Patrick’s Day.

Despite the drizzle, rain and cold temperatures on Thursday, parade attendees heeded the mayor’s call – decking themselves, their golf carts, and even their horses in Irish garb to walk the one block down Main Street beginning at Wilson and ending at Clark.

The holiday fell this year during Union Community School District’s spring break week which meant local school children were also able to participate and enjoy the festivities.

In addition to the mayor who led the procession of walkers and golf carts alongside Dysart Police Officer Jeremy Stenda in his patrol SUV, Republican statehouse candidate Derek Wulf of Hudson & his daughters participated in the parade on horseback, while newly declared Tama County Supervisor District 1 candidate Curt Hilmer of Dysart was also part of the parade procession, carrying a homemade sign and wearing a colorful Irish flag themed mustache.

Following the parade, many of the attendees made their way inside Harper’s Public House for some green beer and camaraderie. A shamrockin’ good time looked to be had by all.