If you happen to be anywhere near the vicinity of southwest Utah next St. Patrick’s Day, you may or may not want to find your way to the tiny burg of Springdale at the entrance to Zion National Park.
 |
| Springdale Jello Queens head up the parade |
This year was the approximately 27th annual Springdale St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Green Jello Carving Contest.
 |
| Bagpipes echo in Zion Canyon |
There was a parade of magnificent proportions!
 |
| Happy St. Patrick’s Day! |
 |
| Belly dancers and bicyclists join the parade |
 |
| Rolling along! |
 |
| One of not-too-many floats |
 |
| Riding high! |
 |
| Zion National Park fire engine makes some noise |
The World Famous Rockville Drill Team maintained their usual precision form.
 |
| World Famous Rockville Drill Team |
After the parade, lively Irish music was provided by the Yankee Clippers from Salt Lake City (who have been playing every Springdale St. Patrick’s Day for at least the past 24 years).
 |
| Yankee Clipper plays for the crowd |
It would be difficult to find a better setting for a beer garden.
 |
| Enjoying a St. Patrick’s Day beverage in the beer garden |
 |
| Would you buy a beer from these guys? |
But the most anticipated event was the ever–popular green jello carving contest with cash prizes. Using the “official food of Utah” as its theme, entrants set a new bar for creativity.
 |
| Green jello sculpture |
 |
| Green jello food pyramid |
 |
| Green jello grasshopper cocktail |
 |
| A jello judge pondering Mt. Killiman-Jell-o |
 |
| Leprechaun jello wedding cake with gum ball garnish |
 |
| Irish Angry Birds was the First Prize Winner! |
I personally drove 45 miles from St. George to attend the festivities, stopping to pick up an old friend along the way. We then picked up two of her friends and neighbors along our way.
 |
| We came from all over the county! |
Another friend’s daughter drove 150 miles ALL THE WAY from Las Vegas. KM’s granddaughter has had a green jello entry for nearly the last ten years. They had to be here to carry on the tradition!
 |
| Three generations at the Green Jello Carving contest |
There was a bright striped tent to protect the green jello entries from the elements.
 |
| A striped tent protect the jello entries |
In a less than scientific survey we were asked to decide “Which jello do you prefer? Jiggly or not jiggly?”
 |
| Jiggly or not jiggly? You decide. |
The town of Springdale sits at the entrance to Zion National Park and sees millions of visitors yearly (mainly during the summer months). In mid–March, though, the masses of people are absent and everyone in town is Irish.
Next year, come join the fun!
