Hudson Park a Sea of Green During Annual St. Patrick's Day Celebration

The luck o' the Irish was with the Lion's Club this past Saturday, March 10, 2007 as the sun shone down upon the large crowd of Wakulla County residents who came out for the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade and Festival.

The parade kicked off at 10:00 a.m. and made its way through downtown Crawfordville.  Parade participants, dressed in their best green, tossed beads, candy and other trinkets to the crowds lining both sides of Highway 319.

The festival continued on throughout the day in Hudson Park.  Guests meandered about the park, shopping with the many arts and crafts vendors and snacking on funnel cakes, corn dogs, seafood, and other taste bud tempting treats.  There were carnival rides and games for the kids, as well as a petting zoo for the young set.

The crowd also enjoyed listening to the many talented local musicians who performed throughout the day, including the High Mileage Band and Glen Phillips.  There was also dancing by the COAST Charter School Irish Stepdancing Team, and a Taekwondo demonstration by members of a local academy.

This year's event boasted a BASSMASTERS Casting Contest, sponosored by the Hydrilla Gnats and BASS.  The free event was open to boys and girls in age groups 7-10 and 11-14.  The competition tested the basic skills of fishing - flipping, pitching and casting.  Rods and reels were provided and instructors from the Hydrilla Gnats were available to help teach skills prior to the competition. 

The two winners of the event were Ryan Lynch (7 to 10 year age group), and Danielle Howell (from the 11 to 14 year age group.  Lynch and Howell will now advance to the State Finals.  From there, two winners will advance to the national competition and a shot at casting for more than $21,000 in scholarships and prizes at the CITGO Bassmaster Classic.  Lynch and Howell each received a rigged out rod and reel from Power Pro, which are the same type of rod they will be using at the State Finals.  Howell also won a package of fishing lures. 

"I think the festival went very well," said Buddy Wells, President of the Crawfordville Lion's Club.  "There was good music and beautiful weather; if you missed it, you really missed out!"  Wells said the smile on the face of Danielle Howell, one of the winners of the casting contest, made it worth all the hard work that goes into putting on the celebration.

A big raffle was held at 3:00 p.m., with the owner's of the winning tickets taking home lots of wonderful prizes.  Rita Deal won a $1000 Savings Bond donated by Wakulla Bank.  Kim Tucker, Adam Brown, and Frank Barnes each won a bass fishing trip for two on Lake Seminole, plus one night's stay at Wingate's Lunker Lodge.  The trips were donated by Wingate's Lunker Lodge on Lake Seminole.

Larry Strickland won a deep sea fishing trip for two donated by Marcus Pilkinton, and Shirley Lindsey won a flats fishing trip for two donated by Gibb Jones.

Tom Franencak won a night at the Inn at Wildwood, golf, and brunch for two, all donated by Joe Barry.  Andrea Carter won a family boating trip on the Ochlockonee River for up to six people donated by Clarence Francis.  Last but not least, Greg Russell won a $50 gift certificate from the Crawfordville Winn-Dixie.

"I'd just like to say thanks to everyone who came out and supported the Lion's Club at this year's festival," said Wells.  "Without the support of the community and all our event sponsors we couldn't do all the good things we do."

Please click here to enjoy several wonderful Wakulla.com Photo Galleries of the Parade and Festival!

This article originally published on March 13, 2007.

Written by :

mkwestmark

 

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