ASHLAND — Hundreds lucked out Monday when they decided to gather in downtown Ashland for St. Patrick’s Day.
The rescheduled parade, creek dyeing and shamrock shenanigans took place on a sunny Monday evening with a high of 45.
Hundreds convened on the streets of downtown Ashland to celebrate the Irish holiday, where traditional chanteys rang in the streets and city officials sported kilts as they carried green and yellow flags down Main Street, ushered — of course — by a bagpiper.
Before the walking parade — one that invites all to participate — a merry Ashland Mayor Matt Miller and his greenified wife, State Rep. Melanie Miller, announced the winners of the evening’s costume and coloring contest.
The latter group of winners earned a spot on the board above Town Creek, where officials dye the creek with “environmentally friendly” powder that is used in places like Chicago for that city’s river dyeing.
“People are taking a look at what’s happening here and they’re wondering ‘how can this be in that small little city halfway between Cleveland and Columbus?’” Miller said to the crowd gathered at Corner Park.
“Well, I’ll tell you why it is: it’s because of how wonderful our people are,” he said, inviting any doubters to come visit Ashland.
The mayor said 141 children between the ages of five and 18 submitted finished colored pictures of a leprechaun, a new addition to the annual event that is becoming a tradition.
See pictures and videos from the St. Pattie’s Day event in downtown Ashland
@sourcemediaprops St. Patrick’s Day is a cause to celebrate in #Ashland, #Ohio! 🍀 The city had a parade, sang an Irish song & dyed the creek green to celebrate. 🤩🇮🇪 #stpatricksday #foryou #fy #fyp #fypシ #foryoupage #foryourpage #irish #ireland #irelandtiktok #chicago ♬ Celtic Flashy Celtic Music – Masucu