Show your Irish pride at the 33rd Annual Brookside St. Patrick’s Warm-Up Parade on Saturday, March 16 at 2 p.m. in the Brookside Shopping District. In the spirit of 2013, this year’s theme is “Lucky 13.”
More than 100 organizations representing groups and families of all ages participate in this fun, family-oriented event. Parade entries march or ride in a variety of vehicles from red wagons to floats to classic cars. Entries include bands, drill teams, Irish dancers, the Jackson County Sheriff Mounted Patrol, and dogs of all shapes and sizes.
The 32nd Annual Brookside St. Patrick’s Warm-Up Parade route runs through the Brookside shopping district along 63rd Street from Wornall to Main. The parade lasts approximately one and a half hours and is sponsored by the Brookside Business Association and the Kansas City Neighborhood Tourism Fund.
The Grand Marshal of this year’s parade is an icon in Kansas City, Carl J. DiCapo. DiCapo was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. He worked for the Internal Revenue Service, and following that he started to work as a cashier in the family business, the Italian Gardens
Restaurant, and soon became manager and then President. In the 1970s, he was elected President of the Kansas City Chapter of the Missouri State Restaurant Association and was
named “Restaurateur of the Year.” He was later elected to the Association’s Missouri Hall of Fame.
DiCapo has been an active civic leader with a staggering number of organizations. He has served on many boards of directors, sometimes as Chairman, and received many awards for his dedication and service. He has received the Whitney M. Young Jr. award for 55 years service with the Boy Scouts of America. He also received the first ever Lifetime Achievement Award from the Salvation Army. Other organizations from his resume include the City’s Convention and
Visitors Bureau, the Don Bosco Community Center, U.N.I.C.O., Parks and Recreation of Kansas City, the Metropolitan Crime Commission, and Liberty Memorial.
In addition to the honor of Grand Marshal, parade organizers name one couple “Mr. and Mrs. Irish” each year. For 2013, this couple is Frank and Teresa White.
Frank White attended college at Longview Community in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, and then rose through the minors to reach the major league – and rise he did. White had a tremendous career as a former Major League Baseball player, and coach for the Kansas City Royals. He is also a former color commentator for Royals telecasts. A smooth fielder, White was a five-time All-Star and won the Gold Glove Award eight times. Most recently White is returning to the Kansas City T-Bones in 2013 for a second season serving as the T-Bones’ first-base coach and advising the front office in addition to other roles.
Frank and Teresa have a special affinity for programs that benefit their neighbors. They spend time together supporting Kansas City charities such as working with Truman Medical Center to help raise awareness about colon cancer testing in the inner city. They are also the spokespersons for KC’s Medicine Cabinet, one of Kansas City’s only resources for immediate, short-term medical assistance for low-income individuals who are uninsured or underinsured.
About Brookside Business Association
Brookside, a charming neighborhood in the heart of Kansas City, was originally planned and built in 1920, becoming the city’s first suburban shopping area. Today, Brookside is home to more than 80 shops, restaurants and services, all unique and in keeping with the original neighborhood charm and architecture.
The Brookside Business Association is a voluntary organization whose purpose is to create and preserve a pleasant surrounding for conducting business in Brookside. Located between Wornall and Main Street from 62nd Terrace to Meyer Blvd., Brookside is only minutes from the Plaza, Leawood, South Kansas City and many other Kansas City attractions. Visit www.brooksidekc.org for more information.