by Ezabelle Janssen, Staff Writer

PASS CHRISTIAN (GG) — The colorful city of Pass Christian will soon be Dublin over with luck as the Krewe of Blarney’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade gets ready to paint the streets green once more!

The annual celebration, now in its 15th year, will party through town on March 14th, starting at the corner of Davis Avenue and Second Street, weaving through downtown and ending at the lively gathering spot, Bacchus on the Beach.

The parade begins near the city pavilion, where revelers follow the Krewe’s Kaptains and royalty, creating a lively procession that combines Irish spirit with Pass Christian’s charming vibe.

Along the route, the Kaptains, along with a few Kaptainesses, will make stops at local businesses for traditional toasts, blending tradition with community pride.

Expect plenty of pageantry: Boy Scouts, energetic drumlines, a high school band, strutting leprechauns, classic cars, decorated golf carts, and joyful walkers all jigging together.

This year’s celebration shines a spotlight on two familiar faces: Grand Marshal Barry Dreyfus and Colleen Lyla Bentz, a local student stepping into the spotlight for one of Pass Christian’s most cheerful traditions.

For Dreyfus, Pass Christian’s Ward 1 Alderman, the honor brings pride, humor, and a love for small-town tradition. “I think it’s an honor to be the Grand Marshal of this parade,” Dreyfus said. “I’ve gone to it many times, I’ve driven the Shannon in it many times. It’s just one of the cool things about small-town Pass Christian. Everybody who goes to it has a good time. There are about six or seven businesses where we’ll be doing toasts, so I thought that was very cool that the local businesses are involved, and it just feels right for small towns.”

Dreyfus says the parade route through the city’s core reflects something deeper than just green beads and leprechauns.

“The parade will be going through the heart of the city, and many people have marched more than I have, and they know all the traditions I’m still learning to be honest,” he said. “But I believe Saint Patrick was a big person in the Catholic Church. I’m Catholic, and the celebration of the whole culture and what he did for Catholicism and for the people of Ireland, it’s good that we celebrate multiple cultures.”

A four-leaf clover amongst the crowd, Colleen Lyla Bentz, will be sharing the royal spotlight this year. Lyla is a 15-year-old sophomore at Pass Christian High School who balances schoolwork with athletics, competing in both softball and volleyball. Known among friends and family for her positivity and determination, she describes the experience as a milestone.

“It actually feels really good!” she said. “I’m really excited and looking forward to it. It’s my first big deal in Pass Christian so far, so I’m really excited!”

Her father, Pass Christian’s Recreation Director, Bret Bentz, feels immense pride: “It’s pretty neat,” Bentz said. “I’ve worked here in the city for 13 years, and to see my daughter being in the spotlight for such a big event they throw once a year is pretty special. Our family is half Irish, half German, so a little Irish does run in our bloodline, so it’s pretty cool.”

He added that the excitement is already spreading through the family. “It has set a tone for her little sister. She has a sister right behind her, and I can already see her wanting to do this, too, in the future so it’s pretty neat… I know she’s excited.”

When the last float rolls, the celebration won’t stop. The Krewe will keep the festivities alive at Bacchus on the Beach, with live music and a hearty Irish feast of corned beef, potatoes, and cabbage, because in Pass Christian, the luck of the Irish is best enjoyed with good food, good friends, and maybe an extra toast.

For those wanting to join the parade fun, the Krewe welcomes both walkers and riders alike. Participation costs $20 per golf cart or car (up to 4 people) and $5 per additional passenger, supporting parade expenses. Interested? Contact Jeanne Goff at P.O. Box 724, Pass Christian, call 228-493-3900, or email jeannepgoff@gmail.com.

After all, in a city known for its welcoming spirit and colorful traditions, the Krewe of Blarney parade proves: on the Coast, everyone’s a little Irish in March!

(Photos by Hunter Dawkins/The Gazebo Gazette via Associated Press)