HOUSTON CO. IRISH CELEBATION REMAINS UNSPOILED, UNCHANGED

TERESA SETTLE NORRIS
Tennessee Express News Writer
“Unspoiled. Unchanged. Simply Irish.”
- What a perfect theme, and what perfect weather we had for the 48th annual Irish Celebration, the third Saturday in March 2010. With so much perfection, no wonder the little town of Erin filled up so much earlier than usual and why so many people milled around so much later into the day.
- If you needed a jacket to watch the Leprechaun parade at 10:30, chances are, you were taking it off mid-way through the two-hour Grand Parade that followed, with the temperature reaching into the 70's.
- Nothing marred the day's many events... contrary to years past when bad weather, wrecks, arrests, and other mishaps have been known to occasionally pop up.
- According the Houston County Emergency Management Agency Director David Hardin, this year's Irish Celebration was beautiful, with great attendance and a great parade.
- Walking around in Court Square after the parade, Houston County Mayor George E. Clark was also happy.
- “We're just glad to have such a beautiful day and so many people here,” Clark said. “The good Lord has blessed us.”
- That was also the consensus of Erin Mayor Cecil Baggett. “I believe it was the largest {amount of people} we've ever had,” he said. “I think it was by far the best parade ever, too.”
- Baggett said he also heard many positive comments about the new and improved look of the Court Square in downtown Erin, including the replica of the old courthouse.
- Once all of the vendors pack up, Baggett and city employees will be busy the morning after the parade cleaning up.
- “By dinner tomorrow, if it's not raining, it will be squeaky clean,” he said.
- Stay tuned for more Irish coverage, including The Grand Parade, Local Vendors like Wes Nolen and Steeple Valley Greeting, entertainment, Out-of-Towners, food, the carnival, and more.
- Also, if you live in Houston County, don't forget to tune in to your local, public service Channel 12 for a complete broadcast of the parade, thanks to your friends at the Wells Creek Basin network!