Nearly 100,000 people are expected line FM 1960 this Sunday to watch dozens of elaborate floats and costumed participants march, skate, tumble and dance by in the 37th Annual 1960 St. Patrick’s Day parade.
The event’s history is fairly simple—a few members of the community wanted to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, so they started a parade! "This started out as a community event and it's grown to what it is today," said parade committee chairman Jeff Doran. The massive event is unique to Spring and brings together local and national businesses and organizations all in support of a great cause. This year’s event will include a new vendor section that will be set up in the Home Depot parking lot from 10AM–6PM. "This is just one of those things that has become part of the FM 1960 community."
Previous participants have included area teams, churches, charities and restaurants, as well as corporate brands like H-E-B and Outback Steakhouse. The Budweiser Clydesdales have even made an appearance. Awards will be given to youth, adult, corporate and individual floats based on originality, creativity, appearance, craftsmanship, crowd appeal & spirit.
And yes, there’s a pot of gold at the end.
The parade benefits the CC EMS scholarship fund. CC EMS programs give EMT and paramedic students the skills they need to get jobs with entry-level pre-Hospital Care Providers. On average, the money raised from the parade (and affiliated events like sponsored cookoffs and the Shamrock ‘n Run) will cover courses for 10 to 20 students.
While the 1960 Parade is free to attend, you won’t want to leave home without a little green on you. This is a St. Patrick’s Day celebration, after all! The parade will begin at 2PM in the Wells Fargo parking lot at the corner of Champions Forest Drive and FM 1960 and continue 3.5 miles to The Concert Pub North at FM 1960 and Kuykendahl. For details about the parade and traffic information, visit www.1960parade.com.
