St. Patrick’s Day Celebration 2021 – OptiMystics Citizens Action Network

“Positive Community Engagement”. That’s the takeaway phrase that hit us after the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Celebration on Wednesday, March 17. And what a wonderful thing it was to witness. We saw people dancing in the streets to Irish music, the crowds cheering as the parade entrants were announced, spirited celebration going on downtown, and so much more. Thank you everyone who came out to attend our first big event of the year.

There are so many people and businesses to thank for their participation and help to make this all happen:

The City Government and staff of Monte Vista for believing in and supporting our efforts.
The Monte Vista Police Department for their planning input and parade traffic control.
Monte Vista Public Works for their planning input and helping shut down Adams St.
The Polished Bean for offering special Irish based drinks & coffees.
The Polished Edge for being a parade participant and offering Irish hats & Tiaras.
Rain Brews for offering offering traditional Irish food and drink and being a great gathering place after the parade.
The Vali 3 Theater for offering concessions and popcorn before and during the parade.
Southern Colorado Computer Services for staying open and especially for donating the parade entry forms.
FaeMoon Wolf Designs for staying open, offering Irish hats, tiaras and shamrock cookies.
San Luis Valley Broadcasting for playing Irish based music on Adams Street before and during the parade.
Gene Farish and his fellow veterans for providing the color guard.
Local author Roy Aiken for doing such a great job announcing the parade entrants and the winners.
OptiMystic Co-Founder Ken Hamko, Tara Halenza and Roy Aiken for being our judges.
Valley Communications for providing the PA System and getting it set up.
The Sandhill Inn & Suites for providing rooms for our guests.
SLVoices for promoting this event across social media.
The Monte Vista Journal for covering this event ahead of time as well as sending a reporter to the event.
The LDS Youth Group for collecting food for the Monte Vista Emergency Food Bank.
Cynthia Aiken for her tireless work behind the scenes, helping pull all the information details and coordination together.
Jennifer Becker for her advice and tips.
Victor Sigala for pacing the parade.

Our heartfelt thanks to FaeMoon Wolf Designs, Quincy’s Tavern and Rancho de Animales for donating the first, second & third place prizes for the parade entrants.

Below are many pictures we were able to take during the parade. The entrants were as follows: