THE EVENTS
SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 2022
ST. PAT’S PARADE
The St. Pat’s Parade is called “The Musical Mile” and is one mile long for your viewing pleasure! Thousands gather along Devine Street to catch Columbia’s most Irish parade! It starts at Devine Street and Sims Avenue in Shandon, takes a right on Saluda Avenue in Five Points, a right on Greene Street and then a final left on Harden Street and ends at Pendleton Street. Our Grand Marshal kicks off the parade at 10am along with the Army Band from Fort Jackson!
Grand Marshals have been an honor given to political, collegiate, military and Five Points dignitaries since 2004!
We are excited to announce the 2022 Grand Marshal – Newly-Elected City of Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann!
Daniel Rickenmann is the son of Swiss immigrants. His family immigrated to the United States in 1967, and Daniel was born in 1969 and raised in Spartanburg. Daniel’s father passed away when he was eight years old, and he was raised by his single mother in a household where they spoke two languages.
He came to the University of South Carolina in 1987 to attend the only program in the Southeast for students with dyslexia. He fell in love with Columbia and never left. After graduating, Rickenmann worked two jobs and saved up to start his own business. His successful restaurant led to more opportunities to invest and grow in Columbia’s community. In 2009, Rickenmann founded a renewable energy company with innovative solutions on generating power in local communities.
Rickenmann has served two stints on Columbia City Council. He was both an at-large member, representing the whole city, and a member from District 4. Daniel is married to Dr. Laura Rickenmann, a local pediatrician, and together, they have two daughters, Ellie and Carlyle, and two dogs, Lulu and Quila.
Quick facts about Mayor Rickenmann:
- Named Top 20 under 40 by The State
- Selected as one of six Green Leaders in Red State by Fortune
- Hand-picked by American Swiss Foundation to attend Young Leaders Conference in Zurich, Switzerland
- Chosen twice by the American Council of Young Political Leaders for exchange programs in Egypt and China
FORMER GRAND MARSHALS
2019 – Harris Pastides
University of South Carolina President
2018 – Col. Jack Van Loan
Festival Chair for Over a Decade
2017 – Fort Jackson
in honor of their Centennial year in 2017
2016 – SC Strong
in honor of first responders during the historic flooding in October 2015
2015 – Five Points
in honor of their Centennial Celebration in 2015
2014 – MG Brad Becker
CG Fort Jackson
2013 – Col. Jack Van Loan
Festival Chair for Over a Decade
2012 – Col. Jack Van Loan
Festival Chair for Over a Decade
2011 – Mayor Steve Benjamin
2010 – USO Float
Honoring veterans from World War II to present day
2009 – A Salute to our Armed Forces
Honorees from each branch of the US Military
2008 – Duncan MacRae
Festival co-founder/Owner Yesterday’s Restaurant
2006 – Coach Steve Spurrier
University of South Carolina Head Football Coach
2005 – Lea “Sarge” Masters
CBS Survivor Vanuatu Show
2004 – The Honorable Joe Wilson
United States House of Representatives
PARADE ENTRIES
Parade entries are accepted from schools, non-profits, civic groups, corporate groups, sitting political officials, political candidates, marching bands and more! To participate in the parade, please click on the link below.
ST. PAT’S PARADE
The St. Pat’s Parade is called “The Musical Mile” and is one mile long for your viewing pleasure! Thousands gather along Devine Street to catch Columbia’s most Irish parade! It starts at Devine Street and Sims Avenue in Shandon, takes a right on Saluda Avenue in Five Points, a right on Greene Street and then a final left on Harden Street and ends at Pendleton Street. Our Grand Marshal kicks off the parade at 10am along with the Army Band from Fort Jackson!
Grand Marshals have been an honor given to political, collegiate, military and Five Points dignitaries since 2004!
We are excited to announce the 2022 Grand Marshal – Newly-Elected City of Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann!
Daniel Rickenmann is the son of Swiss immigrants. His family immigrated to the United States in 1967, and Daniel was born in 1969 and raised in Spartanburg. Daniel’s father passed away when he was eight years old, and he was raised by his single mother in a household where they spoke two languages.
He came to the University of South Carolina in 1987 to attend the only program in the Southeast for students with dyslexia. He fell in love with Columbia and never left. After graduating, Rickenmann worked two jobs and saved up to start his own business. His successful restaurant led to more opportunities to invest and grow in Columbia’s community. In 2009, Rickenmann founded a renewable energy company with innovative solutions on generating power in local communities.
Rickenmann has served two stints on Columbia City Council. He was both an at-large member, representing the whole city, and a member from District 4. Daniel is married to Dr. Laura Rickenmann, a local pediatrician, and together, they have two daughters, Ellie and Carlyle, and two dogs, Lulu and Quila.
Quick facts about Mayor Rickenmann:
- Named Top 20 under 40 by The State
- Selected as one of six Green Leaders in Red State by Fortune
- Hand-picked by American Swiss Foundation to attend Young Leaders Conference in Zurich, Switzerland
- Chosen twice by the American Council of Young Political Leaders for exchange programs in Egypt and China
FORMER GRAND MARSHALS
2019 – Harris Pastides
University of South Carolina President
2018 – Col. Jack Van Loan
Festival Chair for Over a Decade
2017 – Fort Jackson
in honor of their Centennial year in 2017
2016 – SC Strong
in honor of first responders during the historic flooding in October 2015
2015 – Five Points
in honor of their Centennial Celebration in 2015
2014 – MG Brad Becker
CG Fort Jackson
2013 – Col. Jack Van Loan
Festival Chair for Over a Decade
2012 – Col. Jack Van Loan
Festival Chair for Over a Decade
2011 – Mayor Steve Benjamin
2010 – USO Float
Honoring veterans from World War II to present day
2009 – A Salute to our Armed Forces
Honorees from each branch of the US Military
2008 – Duncan MacRae
Festival co-founder/Owner Yesterday’s Restaurant
2006 – Coach Steve Spurrier
University of South Carolina Head Football Coach
2005 – Lea “Sarge” Masters
CBS Survivor Vanuatu Show
2004 – The Honorable Joe Wilson
United States House of Representatives
PARADE ENTRIES
Parade entries are accepted from schools, non-profits, civic groups, corporate groups, sitting political officials, political candidates, marching bands and more! To participate in the parade, please click on the link below.
Stay In The Know
WHEN
MARCH 19, 2022
7:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.