Leave it to an Irishman to revitalize and return Royal Oak’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade with its procession of Irish clans, musicians and floats.
The popular event swan-dived into oblivion after the last parade in 2019 and the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic.
But Albert “Al” Carter – a longtime resident and recently retired city police lieutenant – has strong Irish roots and a cheerful determination to resuscitate the parade, now set to take place at noon Saturday, March 16.
Carter part of the annual parade in Royal Oak from when it began in 1999.
“The city of Royal Oak had the largest St. Patrick’s Day in Oakland County,” Carter said.
Naturally, he needed the luck of the Irish to usher in the parade’s return and keep operations in the black.
“I never ran a parade before in my life,” Carter said. “Now I’m the chairman of the committee. We’re looking at raising $11,000 just to put on the parade.”
Carter and others got support from local businesses and nonprofits – including the Royal Oak Leprechauns collegiate baseball team, the lead sponsor.
“We look to bring the luck of the Leprechauns in partnering with this phenomenal event,” Leprechaun Vice President and Parade Chairman Rocky Shattuck said in a statement. “We love spreading the St. Patrick’s Day spirit and fun – especially in our hometown, Royal Oak.”
The city’s Downtown Development Authority is also helping the parade organizers and sponsoring the event.
Carter brought in some local past members of the parade committee and sought counsel from members who had moved away from Royal Oak.
Ancient Order of Hibernians member Steve Zannetti was the past parade chairman, but retired and moved to Bay City. Other original parade committee members included Carol Hennessey and Jo Dare.
“Now we have to reignite the excitement of the parades of years past,” Carter said. “Putting together a team of residents was really difficult, but now we’ve got 12 committee members.”
This year’s parade is expected to be similar to the prior march of participants along Washington Avenue, starting at the Royal Oak Middle School at 709 N. Washington Ave.
Parade attendance depends a lot on the weather. The Royal Oak St. Patrick’s Day Parade typically used to draw from 2,000 to 5,000 people.
Besides traditional Irish dancers, AOH marchers and others, the upcoming parade will have some new participants marching.
“We’re trying to get every school in Royal Oak, public and private, to take part,” Carter said.
Organizers first reached out to the AOH, military veterans groups, schools and PTAs.
Elected officials have long been a part of the largest St. Patrick’s Day parades in New York City, Boston and Chicago.
In a move as brassy as the buttons on a vintage police uniform, Carter sent parade invitations to President Joe Biden and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. But through their respective staffs both of them politely declined, citing their schedules.
Closer to home, Mayor Michael Fournier and city commissioners accepted their invitations.
As the youngest of 15 children in an Irish American family, many of them in law enforcement, Carter is known for saying you don’t have to be Irish to enjoy St. Patrick’s Day.
“For me, bringing this parade back was about a tradition in the community,,” Carter said. “And it’s one of those events that lets you know spring is coming.”
The website for the event is royaloakstpatricksdayparade.org for those interested in the event, sponsorships or participating in the parade. Carter can also be reached at royaloakirishparade@gmail.com .
