Hundreds Don the Green for Healdsburg's 1-Of-A-Kind St. Pat's Parade

Lead by a bagpiper, Mr. Healdsburg and the St. Patrick’s Day Queen, nearly 1,500 people made their way from the B & B Lounge around Healdsburg Plaza downtown and back to the bar for Healdsburg's largest St. Patrick's Day ever.

Revelers took particular pleasure, at 7 a.m., waking the hotel guests on the Plaza. A few good sports came out on their balconies to wave.

This was a parade of decked-out people in their green beads, feathers and other so-called “Irish” regalia -- including an orange Mohawk.

They were followed by a half-dozen vintage and antique cars with the caboose being an antique Healdsburg fire engine. Two women came all the way from San Francisco to ride their motorized ponies.

There were quite a few “green hair” people, which were part of the Healdsburg Rotary drive to eradicate polio.

The party spilled over into John & Zeke’s. Some parade participants stopped there for a drink, and others went to Costeaux’s for a bite to eat.

As usual, the B & B Lounge had pastries and coffee, which were quickly devoured. At 1 p.m. sharp, they served up corn beef and cabbage, carrots and potatoes and rolls.

Bill Coleman, owner of the B & B Lounge, cooked --with Mike Mazoni, Dave Haddon and crew -- 282 pounds of corned beef to be served throughout the day.

The B & B Lounge opened at 5 a.m. with a full crew behind the bar. Bartender Lynn said “it was so crowded I didn’t even know when the parade had started, so many people just stayed in the bar.”

After the parade, Coleman announced it will, “probably be the last parade for a while, as you know we are moving.”

John Ballachey, who is famous for singing “Danny Boy” at this event, then led us in a round of “For He’s A Jolly Good Fellow,” in honor of Coleman.

Finishing the little ceremony was a group song of “Auld Lang Syne” and then once again, the bagpiper played.

Stay Patched in! Follow Healdsburg Patch on Twitter | Like Healdsburg Patch on Facebook | Sign up for the daily email with links to the latest news.