Vermont parade has become a rite of spring for some Greenwich families

By Christina Hennessy

Norwalk Advocate

March 18, 2008

It has become a tradition for some Greenwich families to trek up to Vermont at this time every year to participate in the state's largest and oldest St. Patrick's Day Parade.

And this year was no exception.

For Kevin Gallagher and his family, it was the fifth time they have participated in the event, which takes place along Route 30 in Bondville, where the access road for Stratton Mountain is located.

'It was a lot of fun. There was a great turnout,' he said, during an interview yesterday. 'It is such a rite of spring for us right now.'

The family includes Kevin's wife, Sheila, and their four children, Kara, Erin, Kelly and Katie. Gallagher's children enjoyed the parade atop a colorful float, flipping chocolate coins to the crowd.

Participants and spectators enjoyed the parade -- held a day earlier than the actual holiday -- in relatively good weather. However, the wind proved nearly disastrous for the Gallagher's car 'ornament.' The inflatable leprechaun was soon listing under the strain. 'I looked up through the skylight of my car and realized it was leaning quite a bit.'

But in true Irish fashion, the luck was with the parade-goers, for nary a leprechaun was lost.

The Gallaghers first learned about the event from the Scottis, who have lived in Greenwich for the last 12 years. Sunday's parade was the Scottis' sixth one.

'It is always so much fun,' Margery Scotti said yesterday.

The parade began in 1974, as a small, informal observance of the holiday.

However, in the years since, it has grown into a large community event. Businesses and residents work to create memorable floats, which have at various times included bathtubs and go-carts, animals and tractors.

The event always ends at the Red Fox Inn in Bondville, where there is corned beef and cabbage and some Irish music. The owners, Tom and Cindy Logan, have organized the parade since 1976.

Margery says her husband, Gavin, recalls seeing the parade pass his house during his visits to Stratton, VT., with his family when he was a little boy. But he finally discovered what the event actually was during a visit to the inn several years ago.

'We were told if you put together a float, you could be in it,' she said, with a laugh.

The first year, their vehicle featured relatively simple decorations, but each year they have become more competitive. The family, which includes the couple's four children, Kendra, Caroline, Trey and Max, has, at times, received first place in the float contest.

Scotti said it has become a fun event for a number of Greenwich families that typically travel to Stratton to ski in the winter.

And it is a tradition that shows little signs of fading.

'We always try and make the parade,' she says.

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