The Saint Patrick’s Day celebration is underway in Emmetsburg. Saint Patrick’s Association Chairman Mickey Conlon says the community is known for its Saint Patty’s Day festivities. He says former Governor Terry Branstad called Emmetsburg the “Irish Capital of Iowa.”
Conlon says he’s expecting a large crowd for Emmetsburg’s famous Saint Patrick’s Day parade on Saturday afternoon. Conlon says he expects “upwards of 10-thousand or better” people for the parade. He says there are several entries in the parade including bagpipers and many politicians.
Activities are planned all weekend including the O-Round the Loch run Saturday morning at Five Island Lake, an authentic Irish stew, rugby matches, an exotic animal petting zoo and an Irish Mass on Sunday morning. Senator Michael Finucane from the Irish Parliament will preside over all of the events in Emmetsburg.