It may have been cold, it may have been breezy, but nothing could stop the St. Patrick’s Day spirit in downtown Emporia Saturday.
The St. Patrick’s Day Committee held its annual slate of celebratory activities Saturday afternoon including the parade which included more than 20 entries this year. St. Patrick’s member Trey Sommers says they were pleased with the level of participation.
He says he hopes the parade will continue to expand and grow to match the turnout and participation of other signature events.
Saturday’s activities followed the conclusion of the committee’s first-ever online auction on Tuesday. The online auction replaces the long-standing in-person event traditionally held at Bruffs Sports Bar and Grill and brought in around $7,300.
Sommers says while it is unclear if this will be the way they handle the auction in the future, he believes it was a good move as it allowed for more exposure.
Following the parade, activities moved to Town Royal for the remainder of the day with some silent auction items available for bid. Fundraising totals are currently pending.
All proceeds from the activities and corporate sponsorships will go to support 12 community groups in and around Emporia.
Benefiting organizations include:
• North Lyon County Veterans Memorial
• Hetlinger Developmental Services
• Buffy Welfare Group
• ESU Special Ed Planning Committee
• What’s In Outdoors Fund
• Transitions Program
• Camp Hope
• Olpe Downhome
• Forever Home Pet Rescue
• National Teachers Hall of Fame
• Imaginarium
• Emporia Spartan Boxing Club
Photos by Tagan Trahoon/KVOE News and Cara Codney
