NEW IBERIA, La. --- New Iberia’s Irish Marching Men (
Fir Mairseail Nua Iberia) will again this year begin the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day with activities around the city.
On March 9, the festivities begin with the “Turning the Bayou Country Green” celebration at the New Iberia Civic Center fountain (445 E. Main St.). Local dignitaries including this year’s Grand Marshall, Jerry Shea, members of the New Iberia City Police, New Iberia Fire Department, the “Berry Queens,” participants of the Special Olympics and members of the communities of Acadiana will gather to see Mayor Freddie DeCourt open the valve to turn the water in the fountain Irish Green.
On St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, the Marching Men of New Iberia and the Grand Marshall will lead the march of kilt clad members down Main Street, to the Bridge Street area. The march will begin at 3 p.m. near the Civic Center, and will include Fir Mairseail members, Grand Marshall Jerry Shea, the “Berry Queens,” marchers from other civic organizations, including the New Iberia Police and Fire Departments, departmental vehicles and other krewes celebrating the Irish holiday. Marchers will hand out doubloons, candies, beads and carnations, along with lots of Irish cheer and good luck to the crowd along Main Street.
The members of Fir Mairseail will continue spreading Irish cheer and good luck by hosting their annual Fund Raising Raffle at Nila’s Bourbon Hall (113 W. Main St.), beginning at 6 p.m. This is the primary fund raising event for Fir Mairseail Nua Iberia, with the bulk of the proceedings going to the Special Olympics and other local charities.
For more information, contact Ken Munnerlyn at (337) 366-5321, visit their
website or
Facebook.
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