St. Paddy's Day Parade

This morning did not look like a good day for a parade -- 41 degrees F (5 C), windy, and heavy rain. I was wondering if the Boundary Bay Brewery St. Patrick's Day parade would be cancelled, but I forgot -- this is Bellingham! Luckily, the rain stopped just in time.

There were people and kids in a variety of costumes, a horse-drawn wagon, fire trucks and other emergency vehicles, bands, dogs (including Irish wolfhounds, of course), miniature horses and a llama. Several local businesses besides Boundary Bay participated, including Chuckanut Brewery and the Uisce Irish Pub.

I was very surprised to find that the members of the pipe band were all Bellingham and Whatcom County firefighters. The band was formed two years ago, but this was only their second public performance, and neither C or I had ever heard of them.

We were a few minutes too late to see the band marching in the parade, but caught up with them at Boundary Bay afterwards, where they put on a great show in the beer garden. We enjoyed talking to the band members, one of whom is also an instructor. His name is Patrick, and he was taught to play by his Irish father. You can read his bio on the band's Website.

C and I agreed that it was one of the best days out we've had in a long time. I think she's now a pipe band groupie.

Edit:

I've put some of the photos on Flickr.