VIN'S PEOPLE: Anna Maria Island making preparations for annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Vin Mannix
·2 min read
The annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Anna Maria Island starts at 4 p.m. on March 12 at Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive.
The annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Anna Maria Island starts at 4 p.m. on March 12 at Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive.

Get ready for the 2023 St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Anna Maria Island. The annual celebration and wearin’ o’ the green is Sunday, March 12 at 4 p.m.

It starts at Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive, and continues its merry way to The Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Avenue.

If you’d like to participate in the parade – i.e., golf cart, business float, nonprofit organization – or be a sponsor, visit centerami.org/events for details. Return completed forms by March 8 to The Center or Duffy’s Tavern, 5808 Marina Drive.

For more information, email Christopher Culhane at Chris@centerami.org. Or call: 941-778-1908.

Vin Mannix
Vin Mannix

· Lienna May is 29. Again.

· Much respect to Ruby Byrd, recipient of the Spiritual Endurance Award for 61 years of worship at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, which is celebrating its 137th anniversary. Ruby’s husband, Rev. Harold E. Byrd Sr., served as pastor for 15 years.

Now 88 years young, Ruby was the first elected African-American Manatee County School Board member and served two terms.

· Billie Earle Deane is 100 years young Tuesday! Mother of five girls and beloved matriarch to more than 10 grandchildren and 15 great-grands, Billie and late husband Ed Deane started the DeSoto Heritage Festival's annual Children's Parade in 1958.

· A bow to Marina Proskurina. The Manatee Technical College instructor was awarded the Master Artist degree from the Professional Photographers of America, recognizing her superior skills at its annual conference in Nashville.

Marina has taught digital design and photography at MTC since 2012 and her students are regular medalists at the state SkillsUSA competition.

· It’s a big week for Dottie and Tom McCarthy. She’s 75 years young Thursday and they celebrate their golden anniversary Friday.

“I married her for her birthday present,” Tom joked.

· Manatee High’s Sugar Canes not only took sixth in the kick category at the recent Dance Team Union nationals, but 11th in Small Varsity Team Performance.

The routine combined varying styles with mostly seniors including captains Alexa Griffin, Jillian Loudermilk, Amber Polis and Ella Stockton along with Peycien Handel, Gracie Kyrwko, Emma Parker, Caroline Tavolara and junior Samantha Trent.

· Kimlyn Wilson is 39. Again.

· Colin Bruton, too.

· And Richard Lansky.

· And congrats to the annual Manatee County Government Public Safety award recipients: Tami Campbell, Code Enforcement Officer of the Year; Lieutenant Tom Wooten, Code Enforcement Chief's Award; and Matt Myers, Emergency Management Employee of the Year.

Vin’s People runs Sundays. Email Vin Mannix at vinspeople@gmail.com. Or call 941-962-5944. Twitter: @vinmannix.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: VIN MANNIX: Here's how to participate in AMI's St. Patrick’s Day Parade