By Kelly Wolfe
When in doubt, walk right up to the guy in the kilt. It makes life more interesting. And in this case,it’s the best way to find the guy running things.
Capt. John Ficsher of the Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Pipe and Drum Band, has spent the better part of a yearcollaborating with Delray Beach, bringing hundreds of firefighters from around
the world here to march on Atlantic Avenue during city’s the 42nd Annual St.
Patrick’s Day Parade.
“It’s important to show unity. We’re all here on one street, on one day.”
Fischer, a firefighter 24 years, said Delray Beach honored firefighters at its St. Patrick’s Day Parade for the first time last year. Now, it’s an annual tradition.“Absolutely,” Fischer said, when asked if he’ll be back next year.
dogs, strollers and emerald balloons. Women wore shamrock-shaped freckles, men
donned oversized green hats.
“It’s a nice group of people,” John Connolly said.
And it’s sunny.“In New York it’s always snowing,” said Barbara Connolly.
day circling the airport in West Palm Beach, the day before. But now that he’s
standing in the sunshine, he’s not disappointed.
He said he’s enjoying the hospitality, and has made a lot of friends. But he isn’t quite sure he’ll remember them once he gets back to Dublin.
“Ask me tomorrow,” he said. “Today is going to be a long day.”“To me, it’s giving back,” said Sands. “It’s showing the community we’re there for them.”
Joe Rodgers, an antique dealer from Wellington, brought a 1950 fire engine to ride in the parade.He likes to take the truck around the state, riding in parades and showing it off.
“It’s not like the new ones,” he said, opening the door and giving a guest a gander inside.“The kids get on it, women get behind the wheel,” he said. “Everybody loves a firetruck.”
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