(COLORADO SPRINGS) — Saint Patrick’s Day is right around the corner, and the biggest St. Paddy’s party and parade is returning to downtown Colorado Springs, Saturday, March 14. But the family fun starts even earlier with the hunt for “Lenny the Leprechaun” taking place Saturday, March 7. John O’Donnell, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Founder, and Kaleigh O’Donnell, Marketing Manager, joined FOX21 Morning News to discuss all the St. Patrick’s Day fun.
“We work hand-in-hand with Lenny the Leprechaun, who helps bring in the official Irish vibe to the parade every year, but during Covid, he chose to take some time off, as many of us did, and now every year we have to negotiate with him to get him back in order to have our parade,” said Kaleigh.
The search for Lenny takes place downtown Colorado Springs from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., and kids of all ages are invited to hunt along a nearly one-mile route featuring stops at about 10 locations. “They follow the trail of trinkets that Lenny has left behind. They get to pick up all kinds of fun little Irish knick-knacks,” said Kaleigh. Participants are also encouraged to explore what the shops have to offer and perhaps even stop for a lunch break. The first 250 kids who participate in the scavenger hunt will also receive a free Disney on Ice voucher.
The 5K for St. Patrick’s Day Race and St. Patrick’s Day Parade will take place Saturday, March 14. This year is the 42nd Annual Parade, and this year’s Grand Marshal is Colorado Springs Fire Department Chief Randy Royal. “We’re recognizing Randy and his years of dedicated service to our community,” said John. “We’re also honoring the memory of a fire Captain who passed away last year, Patrick Rogacki.”
The parade begins at noon. FOX21’s Craig Coffey is this year’s emcee or “Tejon Talker.”…