Steve McVittie: Gearing up for Vancouver’s 7th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade
STEVE McVITTIE |
By CATHOLINE BUTLER
VANCOUVER – The seventh annual St. Patrick’s Day parade will start at 11 AM on March 20 as part of the CelticFest Vancouver festivities.
Steve McVittie of The Celtic Treasure Chest has been the parade marshal each year for the past seven years. He is responsible for organizing all the colourful floats, pipe bands, dancers, and marchers that make up one of Vancouver’s biggest and best-loved parades.
Early one morning recently, I stopped in to The Celtic Treasure Chest store on Dunbar Street for a quick update about this year’s parade.
Steve also gave me an update on the opening of his new store location in White Rock.
When I arrived, both Steve and his wife Lil had been already working organizing stock since 4 AM.
With a store on Dunbar Street in Vancouver, another on River Road in Delta, and working on opening a new location in White Rock – along with organizing the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Vancouver — it would be an understatement to say that Steve McVittie has a lot on his plate. Despite any pressure, Steve seems up for the challenge and thriving.
Speaking about his new location, he said, “We’re very excited about the grand opening of our new Celtic Treasure Chest store in March. It will be located at 15557 Marine Drive, East Beach in White Rock.
“Our customers are very happy that we will be located on Marine Drive, especially the seniors as the store is conveniently located right on the bus route. We also get a lot of tourists from the U.S.”
I asked Steve how things are shaping up for the 2011 St. Patrick’s Day parade where it is expected that over 350,000 people will crowd the Vancouver parade route.
Steve said, “This year the new parade route will start at Howe and Drake and proceed north along Howe Street to Georgia Street. The parade will then turn right on Georgia Street and end at Georgia and Granville Streets.”
He said, “It’s a longer route this year and a straighter one. The assembly areas are also much better with total assembly on the bridge. Everything is looking good for the parade with some exciting new entries this year.”
Whatever your business, organization, or club, participation in the St. Patrick’s Day parade offers great visibility and an opportunity to reach thousands of potential customers who will be lining the parade route.
It is also an opportunity to show pride in your Celtic roots and traditions. Your participation is important and will also help to ensure the continuation of the St. Patrick’s Day parade.
PARTICIPANTS in the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade getting ready to participate in one of Vancouver’s biggest and best-loved parades.
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