Ventura County Irish farming families will serve as grand marshals as the 24th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade marches down Main Street in downtown Ventura on Saturday, March 17. The theme of the parade, which starts at 10 a.m., is "Everyone's Irish on St. Patrick's Day."

This year’s Grand Marshals are a familiar sight in the St. Patrick’s Day parade because many of the families are regulars in the line up. The McGraths have led a huge contingency of their family members in what has become one of the largest entries in the parade. Martin McGrath, a major organizer of the previous entries is delighted to be recognized this year along with many other farming families—the likes of which are the McCormicks, the Laubachers, the Aggelers, the Grahams, the Coutlases, the Clarks, the Leonards, the Morrises, and the Donlons Their commitment to preserving the farmlands of Ventura County and feeding the residents of California and around the world is long overdue for the honoring of being grand marshal.

The entry deadline is fast approaching and parade organizers are inviting additional Irish farming families to come forward.

Judging the parade will be: Trudy Arriaga, Ventura Unified Schools superintendent; James Lockwood, Ventura County Fair; Sue and Victor Georgino, Georgino Development; Captain James McHugh, retired Commander Navy Base Ventura County, and Philip J. Conron, AFC National Adjutant Legion of Valor.

Parade entries are being accepted until March 9. Parade organizers invite bands, dancers, acrobats, clowns, horses and organizations to participate in the county’s greenest event! Entry forms can be downloaded from the Parade’s website, www.venturastpatricksdayparade.com or by calling Jim Monahan, Parade Chairman at 643-4275.

WHAT: 24rd Annual County Ventura St. Patrick’s Day Parade
“Everone’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day"

WHEN: Saturday, March 17, 2012 at 10 AM

WHO: Grand Marshals: The Irish Farming Families of Ventura County

WHERE: Main Street in downtown Ventura, beginning at the Mission San Buenaventura, ending at Laurel Street

INFO: www.venturastpatricksdayparade.com or 643-1356.