Irish dancers, Gaelic soccer gamers, inexperienced every part: 1000’s of spectators gathered for the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Kansas Metropolis, Mo., on Sunday, the primary citywide parade since a lethal capturing final month roiled town’s Tremendous Bowl celebration.
The St. Patrick’s Day parade, town’s fiftieth this yr, is considered one of many nation’s largest, with crowds recognized to achieve a whole lot of hundreds. On Sunday, a large — however notably smaller — crowd sporting inexperienced beanies, vests, cowboy hats and sweatshirts got here collectively, even below excessive winds and chilly temperatures.
The parade showcased Gaelic Athletic Membership members demonstrating their hurling expertise, bagpipe gamers, vintage fireplace vehicles and plenty of inexperienced objects, together with cotton sweet, plaid hats and stuffed animals. There was a stand with T-shirts that learn “Kansas Metropolis has our personal St. Patrick,” with a photograph of the Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes — which at one level had been nearly blown away by the fierce winds.
However the festivities weren’t with out the somber reminder of a capturing on the Chiefs’ Tremendous Bowl parade on Feb. 14 that left one useless and 22 injured, rattling the group. Two males, Lyndell Mays, 23, and Dominic Miller, 18, had been charged with homicide in connection to the capturing, and two youngsters had been charged with resisting arrest and “gun-related” offenses.
Nonetheless, many on Sunday had been decided to not let final month’s tragedy disrupt a treasured custom.
“I don’t dwell my life by means of worry,” mentioned Tiffany Hermann, 40, on the parade, who additionally attended the Tremendous Bowl celebration. “I’m going to take pleasure in my life to the fullest.”
There was a heavy police presence, with greater than 400 officers, together with some in plain garments within the crowd, in line with Sgt. Phil DiMartino of the Kansas Metropolis Police. He added that was a couple of 10 % improve of officers from the yr earlier than. A number of police vehicles lined the parade route.
Whether or not it was wariness over final month’s capturing, or the colder climate, or another motive, attendance on the parade on Sunday gave the impression to be a lot smaller than that of previous years. Some spectators seen there have been considerably fewer folks this yr.
“Usually you must look by means of folks. You’ll by no means discover an space like this the place there’s a giant hole between folks and no person standing in entrance of you,” mentioned Sadie Sanchez, 60, an engineering supervisor.
Ms. Sanchez’s daughter, Cherri Sanchez, a 36-year-old paramedic, mentioned her brother determined to not come after being on the scene of the capturing. “He’s just a little bit traumatized nonetheless.”
A bunch of mates who attended the Chiefs parade mentioned they felt safer coming to Sunday’s occasion as a result of the gang was smaller. Sarah Jones, 23, a copywriter, nonetheless felt unease however finally determined to attend.
“I simply don’t need folks to think about Kansas Metropolis and consider” the capturing, Ms. Jones mentioned, including, “There’s a lot extra that’s particular about right here.”
For some, the cheerful and healthful ambiance was sufficient to return rejoice, regardless of the current capturing.
“When the city will get collectively, it’s nothing however enjoyable, love and friendship. It’s household,” mentioned Autum Diggs, 28, who works in gross sales and as a medical assistant. She added, “I’m not going to let one dangerous apple spoil all of it for us.”
Somewhat woman holding a inexperienced hat danced to a marching band making its method by means of the parade. Whilst her household was leaving the parade grounds, she stored dancing, because the music light.
