By Kris Nordstrom McBride The 5 OClock Phlock Coconut Telegr March 7, 2025

    St Patrick’s Day is many things to many people. For our Parrot Head Club, it’s an opportunity to continue a long time Conroe tradition while having a great time. 
     The 27th annual “St Patrick’s Day Walking Parade Around The Square” will once again begin and end at The Corner Pub in downtown Conroe on Monday, March 17th. Gathering time is 4 p.m. with the parade to begin at 5. Revelers will be drawn into the pub by the sounds of the bagpipes, where the Irish Proclamation will be read to open the event. Then the Lord and Lady of St Patrick’s Day will be crowned. The bagpiper will lead the newly crowned royalty around the square, followed by the Royal Court (prior year’s Lords and Ladies) and anyone who wants to walk the short route. The Parade travels from The Corner Pub north to the end of the block, then a series of left turns to pass the Court House Square & eventually back to The Corner Pub – on the sidewalks all the way.
     Participants are encouraged to bring tambourines, whistles, Irish drums, anything that makes a joyful noise. Our club will have handheld instruments to lend to anyone who needs one. For those who don’t want to walk, we urge you to line the route and cheer us on. The parade is open to one and all, young and old. Stroller and wheelchairs are fine too. It’s an easy walk at a slow pace, and just a whole lot of fun. Festive St Paddy’s attire is, of course, encouraged. 
    After the parade, the party continues inside The Corner Pub for food and libations. LeaAnne, Rodney and Joyce Pool, owners of The Corner Pub, provide corn beef and cabbage and our club adds a full table of food too. Music? But of course! Our 5 O’Clock Phlock Throw Down Jamm Band plays a mix of tradional Irish tunes and well loved covers. 
     There is no charge for any of this fun and frivolity, but tips for our charitable work are always appreciated and we ask that you help us with our annual St Paddy’s Day Sock Drive for Yes To Youth Montgomery County Youth Services. 
    Around 7 p.m. we’ll regroup at the new Lucy Blues at 711 Madeley, just a few blocks away, for more St Patrick’s Day fellowship.  Debbie Glenn-Cross, long time owner of The Red Brick Tavern, has opened Lucy Blues in the old TUTS location, and she’s done the old gal proud – the building and grounds have had a loving facelift while maintaining the spirit and charm of TUTS. 
     This parade was founded in 1996 by three friends – Attorneys Mike McDougal and Pat Green and Bagpiper David Anderson – with no higher purpose than to enjoy the renewed beauty & excitement of downtown Conroe, have conversation with friends, old & new, & raise a glass or two to St Paddy. All three of these wonderful men have left us to share a pint with St Peter now, but their legacy and love of this special day continues through the shared efforts of The McDougal Family, The Corner Pub and our 5OCP.  I began promoting the parade through the Rotary Column in The Courier in 2003; my husband Michael and I have helped Mike & his wife Frances with the planning & details since 2014, first through The Rotary Club of Lake Conroe & since 2021 through The 5 O’Clock Phlock Parrot Head Club. The Parade has grown…yet it remains what the guys have always wanted it to be – a small town walking parade that’s short on formality & long on fun & fellowship & the celebration of all things Irish! We sure hope you’ll join us! 

Kris is President of The 5 O’Clock Phlock Parrot Head Club, the PHC of the Lake Conroe/Woodlands area. Email  KrisCommService@gmail.com or text 713 825-0141. Follow the club on Facebook at www.facebook.com/5OClockPhlock. For more info, visit the website www.5oclockphlock.com. 

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