PdC St. Patrick’s Day Parade March 11

Celebrate the GREEN in Prairie du Chien on Saturday, March 11 at Prairie du Chien’s Annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration. The celebration begins with the annual St. Patty’s Day parade in beautiful historic downtown Prairie du Chien. All parade participants will assemble on St. Feriole Island beginning at 9 a.m. The parade will start at 10:00 a.m. from St. Feriole Island, go East on Blackhawk Avenue, then North on Michigan Street, and back to the island.
The festivities will be led by Prairie du Chien’s own St. Patrick, and Bagpiper, Thomas Dillon from the Brian Boru Irish Pipe Band of St. Paul Minnesota. Mr. Dillion will provide Irish tunes during the parade and will amuse Irish music lovers at several area businesses throughout the day.
The Grand Marshall for the 2023 St. Patrick’s Day Celebration is long-time Prairie du Chien resident and business owner Sue Tiller. Sue was born and raised in Prairie du Chien to Patricia and Frank Tiller, owners of Tillers Furniture. Sue has managed the family business for over 26 years. Even though the name “Tiller” may not sound Irish, Sue has Irish heritage on both sides of the family.
A graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Sue joined the ROTC program and became the first woman to graduate from the program. After graduation, Sue joined the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant and, after serving 20 years in the military intelligence, she retired with the rank of Major.
Sue returned to her beloved Prairie du Chien and joined her parents in the family furniture business. Tiller’s Furniture has been a fixture in Prairie du Chien since 1950. In 2009, Sue learned of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary forming in Prairie du Chien and saw it as an opportunity to support her community and learn more about the river she grew up on. Since then, Sue has become qualified as a vessel examiner and has served several years as the flotilla’s finance and diversity officer.
The 29th St. Patrick’s Day parade King and Queen for 2023 is Bob and Connie Collins. Bob’s parents were Gaylord and Marie (Oates) and Connie’s parents were Harold and Helen Borth who lived and farmed in the Prairie du Chien area all of their lives.
Bob and Connie recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary and have been lifelong residents of Prairie du Chien. Bob and Connie were married in 1963 and lived in the 4th Ward currently known as St. Feriole Island. After the 1965 major flood, Bob and Connie relocated to North Michigan Street where they still reside today.
Bob joined the Prairie du Chien Fire Department in 1961 and worked with the Fire and Police Departments for 41 years. Connie worked as a cook for the Prairie du Chien Schools system working as a cook for 41 years. Bob and Connie have four children, one daughter and three sons, seven grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren.
After the parade, don’t forget to stop in at any of the many area businesses that will be serving corned beef and cabbage, green beer, and other Irish specialties, or simply order something delicious off any of the tasty menus. Make Prairie du Chien your St. Patrick’s Day destination on Saturday, March 11! For more information on other Prairie du Chien upcoming events, contact the Prairie du Chien Area Chamber of Commerce at 608-326-8555 or visit their website at prairieduchien.org.