Cmdr. Tom Slais of the Electronic Attack Wing kisses the Blarney Stone at Windjammer Park Wednesday afternoon to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Along with Slais is his daughter Gigi, and wife, Helene. - Nathan Whalen/Whidbey News-Times
Nathan Whalen/Whidbey News-Times
Cmdr. Tom Slais of the Electronic Attack Wing kisses the Blarney Stone at Windjammer Park Wednesday afternoon to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Along with Slais is his daughter Gigi, and wife, Helene.

Irish spirit springs in Oak Harbor


March 19, 2010 · 2:30 PM

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Everybody is a little bit Irish on St. Patrick’s Day and that heritage is alive and well in Oak Harbor.

A festive day in the city kicked off with the annual parade sponsored by the Irish Wildlife Society. Green-clad parade-goers, complete with antique cars and fire engines, gathered at the corner of Midway Boulevard and Pioneer Way for their annual march through the streets of downtown Oak Harbor to the windmill at Windjammer Park.

The streets of Pioneer Way were lined with families adorned with festive St. Patrick’s Day hats, glasses and flags.

The parade procession continued to the windmill at Windjammer Park, where mayor pro-tem Danny Paggao announced the proclamation commemorating St. Patrick’s Day. Then parade grand marshal Colleen Lura along with several city and Navy leaders took turns kissing the ol’ Blarney Stone and sang a stirring rendition of Danny Boy. Once the ceremony was complete, traditional Irish fare of corned beef and cabbage was served at the Oak Harbor Yacht Club for all to enjoy.

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