St. PETrick’s Day canceled due to possible inclement weather

Community, News

ELLIJAY, Ga. – While St. Patrick’s Day will be coming next Thursday, the holiday will see celebrations starting this weekend for citizens and visitors to downtown Ellijay, Georgia, with St. PETrick’s Day.

PETrick's Day

An annual event, the celebration, like so many others, has seen cancellations over the last two years due to the COVID-19 outbreak. However, committee lead for the St. Petrick’s Day event and Vice-President of FOGAS (Friends Of Gilmer Animal Shelter) Sylvia Harris said that they are looking to continue this weekend’s event without fail. Going so far as to say rain, shine, or snow will not stop this events return, Harris was enthusiastic about the chance for citizens and pet lovers to once again return to their parade through the downtown area.

The return of the annual pet parade and festival saw a great response from several organizations and businesses as Harris reports that the vendor spots sold out and they had to close the registration almost a full week ahead of the deadline. In addition, as part of their efforts to support the county and tourism in it, the Gilmer Chamber has also partnered with FOGAS, who is hosting St. Petrick’s Day this year, with a grant for advertising and marketing for the event.

PETrick's Day

This year, St. Petrick’s Day is seeing some upgrades and minor changes to the venue that will allow even more fun with the whole family, even the furry members. Harris noted that while the event has been held on North Main Street in past years, utilizing the parking lot next to First Baptist of Ellijay, they will be marching all the way around the square and up Broad Street to the parking lot behind Dalton State College and next to the county courthouse.

The event goes from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m in the parking lot behind Dalton State College, but the parade through downtown begins at the Ellijay Elementary School at noon. Registration can be done online or in-person if you arrive early before the parade. Additionally, for those looking to potentially adopt a pet, you can “test-drive” adoptable pets from animal shelters or Homeward Bound.

Those pets are also adoptable throughout the event from the Gilmer County Animal Shelter, Pickens County Animal Shelter, and Homeward Bound. Other pet rescues will also be present for the day showcasing their rescues including goats, llamas, and horses.

More than just a parade of pets, the event hosts face painting, Friends of Harrison Park, local vendors for things like homemade animal treats, local businesses, and a bounce house for kids among other things. Additionally, the pet contests return again. Make sure both family members and pets dress up for the event. Pet Contest categories include Best Dressed, Best Vocal Performance, Best Trick with Young Handlers (17 and under), Most Unusual, and the Best Owner Pet Look-alike.

Though planning started slow in November 2021, Harris said they monitored things and looked to hold the event and made plans. Yet, they felt unsure if the event would follow through or if cancellations and closures might happen again. However, the closer the event has come, the more confident organizers became. Harris said about the event’s return, “It feels very exciting because you’re bringing the community together and we’ve had so many positive responses. You can feel the excitement that people have that they are actually going out to fun events again. For those of us putting it on, it feels great.”

 

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