by Dennis Dalman
editor@jetup.net
When in Rice, do as the Irish do: dress in bright shamrock green, drink green beer and kick your heels up like a bunch of leprechauns.
Well, that tends to be true for the Heritage Day celebration and parade. There’s no rule that says you have to act or look Irish, but most of the Germans, Poles and Slovenians who gather for the celebration go with the flow. What the heck. Why not?
“I’m full-blooded German, but I’m going to be Irish today,” said Janet Schlicting of Sauk Rapids, enjoying a beer in O’Brien’s Pub and Grill in Rice.
The Ackerman family of Rice felt the same way, as they waited curbside for the Heritage Day Parade to appear. Parents Nate and Erica wore green as did Wyatt, Zander and Alayna, but the twins in a double stroller, Myla and Brynn, were wearing bright neon-purple winter coats with hoods.
“Look, there’s two purple leprechauns,” someone said, pointing at the twins.
Mother Erica chuckled.
“It’s close enough to St. Pat’s Day so it’s a good time to wear green,” she said. “Except for the twins with their purple coats.”
Keith O’Brien, who owns O’Brien’s Pub and Grill with wife Kristi began Heritage Day and Parade years ago, and it’s since become an annual tradition, Irish or not. Keith, Irish to the gills, stood curbside chatting with others gathered for the parade. He was wearing a dark green plaid kilt.
“Oh, yes, I’m Irish,” he said. “With a name like O’Brien I better be. But this is a day for everybody in Rice, not just the Irish.”
The parade, led by a spanking new Rice fire truck, included a couple dozen units, including a snazzy red sportster driven by two grown leprechauns, kids on snowmobiles carried on a flatbed and other fun vehicles. Later, many went into O’Brien’s where they enjoyed Irish stew, drinks, live music and prizes.
Although she’s a full-blooded German – what the heck – Janet Schlichting of Sauk Rapids decided to don the green for the Heritage Day celebration in Rice March 19. Before the parade, Schlichting enjoyed a beer and conversation with friends at O’Brien’s Pub and Grill.
When in Rice, do as the Irish do, at least for a day, during the Heritage Day Parade, which took place March 19. All heritages are celebrated on that day, but many decide to go with the Irish theme, including Rice residents Nate and Erica Ackerman and family. From left to right are the two purple twin Ackerman leprechauns, Myla and Brynn; and (second row) Erica, Wyatt, Zander, Nate and Alyana.
Twins Myla and Brynn Ackerman await the Heritage Day Parade in Rice March 19.
Irish to the gills, Keith O’Brien wears a plaid kilt for the Heritage Day celebration in Rice. In the photo above, he greets Rice resident Scott Heilig, a member of the Rice Area Lions Club. O’Brien and his wife, Kristi, started Heritage Day and its parade many years ago. As owners of O’Brien’s Pub and Grill, they offer Irish stew, green beer, music, fun and prizes into the wee hours.
People await the Heritage Day Parade in Rice on the afternoon of March 19.
People await the Heritage Day Parade in Rice on the afternoon of March 19.
Mr. and Mrs. Leprechaun drive a snazzy little red sportster in the Heritage Day Parade in downtown Rice.
Dolled up in green glory, Lindy Sabraski sports the biggest bead necklace in the whole wide world. She, her husband, children and grandchildren took part in the Heritage Day Parade in Rice March 19.
Aerial Weiseman (left) and Braelyn Sabraski pretend to drive snowmobiles on a flatbed during the Heritage Day Parade in Rice March 19. The girls are grandchildren of Tom and Linda Sabraski of Rice.
Rice Police Chief Ross Hamann enjoys a streetside chat with Rice resident Scott Heilig right after the Heritage Parade in Rice March 19. Everyone of every age had a good time at the parade and the celebration at O’Brien’s Pub and Grill, which sponsors Heritage Day and its parade.
