Not a stitch of green adorned Tommy Bruger’s outfit Wednesday morning – before or after he walked 66 feet into The Keg.
Part of the early morning group of festive paraders who gathered at the Soda Fountain/Flower Shop on Main Street in Blue Springs, Bruger did what many have done over the past three decades.
Walking in what is considered to be by many the shortest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the country, Bruger said he enjoyed the event – even if he couldn’t indulge in a good Irish whiskey.
“Love to have some, but will have to wait,” the Blue Springs resident said.
Bruger has attended before – four times to be exact. Some years are more festive then others, and the weather has been difficult at times. Last year it was sunny, and this year it was almost sunny.
But it didn’t rain.
“I was hoping it didn’t,” he said. “Two years ago everyone walked faster. I walked pretty fast, and I didn’t get wet. But you never get wet very much doing this.”
Across the street and into The Keg, reopened last year to great fanfare, paraders enjoyed food and drinks. Before eating, Bruger enjoyed a float prepared at the fountain shop.
Touted throughout the nation as the Shortest and Smallest St. Patrick’s Day Parade, organizers of the event have said they are still waiting for the ultimate and most prestigious recognition: a call from the Guinness Book of World Records. Other cities are recognized for having the shortest St. Patrick’s Day parade, including a parade in Boulder, Colo., and another in Minnesota.
Bruger looked at the small embedded plaque in the sidewalk claiming the parade’s significance, one that paraders step across as they finish their long journey.
“I suppose this is the shortest if they have a plaque.”
Roger Fulton, an active community and church member, was this year’s grand marshal. He was joined by Pat Meyer, Jim Wallace and Bill Whitley, all of whom are considered official “paraders.”
But most importantly, why no green?
“It’s not my favorite color,” Bruger laughed.
