The Brainerd St. Patrick’s Day parade started 15 years ago with just a garden tractor and an idea. The celebration is a little bigger than when it first began, but that only makes the day that much more fun. This year was blessed with some beautiful weather, bringing out a larger than normal crowd, and even some animals dressed in St. Patty’s green. And St. Patrick’s Day also means another type of celebration for one family that attended the parade.

And although the Brainerd St. Patrick’s Day celebration may not be the largest in the area, they say there is nothing that will stop them from parading through Downtown every single year. While the hope is to continue to grow the parade, the focus will always be on Downtown Brainerd.