Pickle Parade sees big changes

Texas country singer Cory Morrow will headline the World's Only St. Paddy's Pickle Parade & Palooza on March 16. (Courtesy photo)

By Amanda Rogers

mansfield Record

The St. Paddy’s Pickle Parade & Palooza is packed with a peck of permutations this year.

For the 13th annual event, the parade has a new route, features a free concert from legendary Texas country artist Cory Morrow and has bundled all of its events into a single day - March 16. Admission and parking are still free.

“We have a new route that is exciting,” said Sheri Curb, board member and parade coordinator. “We are going straight down Main Street from the bridge, down to the fire station.”

Diverting from its tradition loop through downtown Mansfield, this year the World’s Only St. Paddy’s Pickle Parade will line up on Main Street in front on Mouser Electronics, 1000 N. Main St., and proceed south on Main Street before ending at The LOT Downtown, 110 S. Main St.

Starting at noon, the parade will feature the return of the World Famous Wheelie-ing Elvi, dancing horses, Shriners Car-vettes and motor patrol , walking dinosaurs, Texas Roadhouse’s Andy the Armadillo, Flex Brewhouse will have Ghostbusters, Tarrant County Sheriff’s horses, Second Chance Dog Rescue, creative balloons, Honorary St. Patrick and the infamous Pickle Queens.

Kicking off the day at 8 a.m. will be 5K and fun runs that begin and end at McKnight Park East, 700 US 287 Frontage Road.

The action starts at 9 a.m. in downtown Mansfield with free live music from cover band Run4Cover on the Main Stage at Main and Oak streets.

At 10 a.m., the Baby Parade lights up the 100 block of North Main Street with baby dills showing off the event’s theme “Deep in the Heart of Texas” and competing for trophies.

Also at 10 a.m., the Community Stage and the Pickle Playground will open in the parking area at Smith and Oak streets. The Community Stage will feature Irish dancers, singers and an improv troupe, while the Pickle Playground has a petting zoo, train rides, face painting, street hockey from the dallas Stars and bounce houses, all free. A climbing wall will also be available for a fee.

The Shenaniguns comedy troupe will be raising chaos in four free Wild West performances on Main Street near the railroad bridge at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.

After the St. Paddy’s Pickle Parade rolls through downtown, throwback country band Western Rewind will hold a free performance from 1:30-3 p.m. at the Main Stage.

Then things really get rowdy. The pickle-eating and pickle juice-drinking contests and Mindy Lu’s fried pie eating contests will be held at the Main Stage. Sign up will be just before the event. Entry is free for the first dozen to sign up in each contest. Participants must be at least 12 years old.

Headliner Cory Morrow takes the Main Stage from 4:30-6 p.m. for a free concert. The country artist is known for songs like “Songs We Wish We’d Written,” recorded with fellow Texas country musician Pat Green.

Lining Main Street and spreading across to Walnut and Smith streets will be a plethora of pickled food and retail vendors, including Kendra’s Kreations, Mr. Wally’s Pickles, pickle t-shirts, pickle dog collars, beer tents, plus lots more. Vendors open at 10 a.m.

Free parking will be available at Alice Ponder Elementary, 101 Pleasant Ridge Drive; Worley Middle School, 500 Pleasant Ridge Drive; R.L. Anderson Stadium, 1016 Magnolia St.; and Erma Nash Elementary, 1050 Magnolia St. Free parking and a free shuttle will be available at Legacy High School, 1263 N. Main St. Shuttles, including a handicap shuttle, will run from Legacy High to downtown from 9 a.m.-noon and from 1:30-7 p.m.

For more information, go to pickleparade.org.

What to bring: Lawn chairs, cash for food and retail purchases, sunscreen. Well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome. Wear green.

What not to bring: Alcohol, unruly or unrestrained pets.

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