Quincy’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade to End After 35 Years

A Quincy springtime tradition for more than three decades has apparently come to an end.

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In a press release Friday, the announcement came that Quincy’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be no more.

According to parade co-founder and organizer Jeff Dorsey, insurance requirements, along with city regulations regarding outdoor events have made it impractical to stage the parade moving forward.

Dorsey and his long-time broadcast partner, Dennis Oliver, started the St. Patrick’s Day parade with just the two of them walking down Main Street in 1987. 35 years later, the parade featured over 100 entries of all shapes and sizes, drawing spectators from throughout the area.

Dorsey acknowledged those who helped him with the parade each year.  "I would like to thank my long time lineup crew of Dan Ebbing, Rob Ebbing, Blake Ebbing, Dave Williams and Don Hummel for their great work and to the Quincy Police Department, Auxiliary Police, Adams County EMS and Central Services for their assistance over the years. A big thank you also to Kelly’s as well for sponsoring the parade for years."

Jeff also said that, in the end, he achieved what he set out to accomplish with the parade."My goal was to bring smiles to kids and families and to usher in Spring every year. I am comforted in knowing that my goal was accomplished. I will miss those smiles, but I will always remember them."