A new “Leprechaun,” Zach, will visit Ocracoke to be the Grand Poohbah of Tomfoolery on St. Patrick’s Day on Saturday (March 17).
Sponsored and hosted by the Ocracoke Bar & Grille, Zach, who hails from Arizona, will lead parade that will begin at 1:30 p.m. at 1718 Brewing Ocracoke and head down Irvin Garrish Highway.
The parade will end at the “O’Bar” where the cash prize of $550 and runners-up will be announced after Zach has made his decision. No registration is necessary.
“Just be in the parade when it begins,” said Sean Death, O’Bar proprietor.
A pre-party begins at 11:30 a.m. at 1718 Brewing.
More revelers and floats showed up for last year’s tomfoolery, including a group of women from Morehead City dressed in rainbow tutus, calling themselves “The Lucky Charmers.” They threw mini packets of Skittles candies to spectators along the route saying, “Taste the rainbow.”
“The Lepra-cants,” a trailer decorated in green, spouting fire, and hauling two couples and five children from Suffolk, Va., won last year’s prize.
Death, who with his wife, Laurie, began the event three years ago, wants the parade to be held on the actual St. Patrick’s Day to promote the start of the island season.
“We are proud to have 1718 Brewing be a part of the event this year,” Death said. “We feel 1718 is a great fit to this year and in the years to come.”
All businesses are encouraged to enter as many floats or groups as they want, freely distribute swag, such as cups, T-shirts, coupons, etc., along the parade route and at both the Ocracoke Station and O’Bar, Death said.
