Leprechauns on Parade

March 13, 2026 by Bruce McDonald Posted in Community, Green Gables School, Social Activities Leave a comment

Leprechauns on Parade

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St. Patrick’s Day! It’s a day when everybody can pretend to be Irish, all in good fun. Denver hosts the largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Colorado, if not largest in the country, or the whole world! It’s big anyway, and it’s special to us because our own little gem of a school, Green Gables Elementary, will participate this year. And it’s not their first time either…

Why faith ‘n begorrah, Green Gables has been in the Denver St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Every year since the school was founded in 1969!

That’s how many years? You count ’em! My fingers got tired. The school’s grand opening was on March 17 of 1969. That magical date, and being located near the old Green Gables Country Club, explains the green school color and the Leprechaun theme. Principal Jenn Withee recalls from her own school days as a Green Gables Leprechaun, “I still remember… the excitement, joy, and pride that I experienced being part of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. I am grateful our community still gets to experience the magic!”

It takes a lot of preparation to design and construct a lively, attractive, and safe float, with all those kids and their families participating. It’s a learning experience in teamwork and cooperation, and over the years there have been lots of growth and change and all kinds of weather, but the spirit has remained the same – sunny and bright.

In preparing for the parade, each year the students form a planning committee as a club activity. They meet after school for about 6 weeks leading up to the parade. The students help with designing the float and creating decorations, and as they solidify ideas they get everyone involved. All the staff and students take part in creating some part of our float, with a central theme. Each class also votes on 3 songs they would like to include in the music playlist as well. The entire school community pitches in and it’s great bringing everyone together in a fun tradition.

Photo from 2023 Parade

The Denver parade goes back to 1889, when an Irish heritage organization put on the first big parade. It consisted of “two divisions of several Irish groups including the Ancient Order of Hibernians with some groups numbering close to one hundred.”¹ Over the years the tradition grew and faded several times until the early 1960s , when a visit by the Lord Mayor of Dublin sparked the thought of reviving the old tradition.

The 2026 Denver St. Patrick’s Day Parade Theme is “Stars, Stripes and Shamrocks!”

In addition to our Green Gables Leprechauns there are hundreds of other colorful floats, marchers, stagecoaches, clowns, and bands playing music of all kinds. There are plenty of activities and attractions for everyone.

Wearing green is highly recommended, both when you go to watch the parade tomorrow, Saturday March 14, and again on the actual St. Patrick’s Day, Tuesday March 17. Wearing green to the parade encourages and supports the Leprechauns of Green Gables Elementary. Then on the real St Patrick’s Day you wear it for protection! The other Leprechauns, the ones who live in forest glades and are always chasing after the gold, you know, can’t see you if you’re in green. If they see you they’ll pinch you. Aye, it’s true! Purely for your own safety, you have to wear the green as a sensible precaution.