By Wayne Allen

PDT Staff Writer

The Seven Nations Celtic Club is set to host its third annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade starting at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 14.

This year Dr. T. Inoshita of Portsmouth Cancer Care Associates will serve as the parade’s Grand Marshall. Dr. Inoshita has participated in every parade since its inception.

“This is a great honor,” Dr. Inoshita said. He said he was a founding member of the Seven Nations Celtic Club.

Dr. Inoshita is planning to dress like a leprechaun for the parade. “Having this honor makes me feel a part of the community,” he said.

Nicole Sinclair will serve as the parade chairperson again this year. “This year’s parade is going to be a lot of fun. This is something (to which) we really look forward.”

The parade has been being planned since September or October of 2008.

This year’s parade sponsors include USEC, OSCO and LIFE Ambulance.

“We will have a bagpipe band from Columbus in the parade this year,” she said. “Anyone can participate in the parade, either by e-mail, stop by the Ports City Pub or stop by the Scioto County Welcome Center to pick up an application. The parade is open to anyone who wants to come out and participate or watch the parade,” Sinclair said.

This year’s route has been changed compared to routes of previous parades.

The parade will begin in front of St. Mary’s Church on Market Street in Portsmouth. The parade will then travel south to Second Street, travel east on Second Street to Washington Street, north on Washington, east on Fifth street, north on Chillicothe Street and end at Tracy Park.

“The Leprechauns will be out again this year to paint the green line down the middle of the street on the parade route. We have never figured who or when that’s done, it just kind of happens,” Sinclair said. “Every year we hope to make the parade better than the year before. Even if five people show up, we will still have a great parade. Rain or Shine we will walk the green line.”

For more information call Port City Cafe and Pub at 355-9015.

WAYNE ALLEN can be reached at (740) 353-3101, ext. 208.