& marching bands, clown performers, specialty, clan, and business floats. Irish Fest is held in a heated big top tent with several Celtic style bands, food, beverage, and market booths. A whole week of St. Patrick's Day events starts when club leprechauns rename the town to New Dublin. The events include; an evening of Irish entertainment, an Irish Ceili with a band and caller/teacher, Irish caroling, and an Irish wake parody. Corned beef and cabbage is served in the area in restaurants that week too. The parade and Irish Fest top off the week on Saturday. Finnegan's Wake is a yearly tradition in 'New Dublin'. It started years ago as a 'lark' when locals in mourning paraded down the main street with a mannequin (Finnegan) in a wicker casket. The parade has grown each year since with Finnegan now riding in a green hearse with faulty door locks that allow him with casket to fly out when the hearse pulls away. La Crosse - St Patrick Day Parade The La Crosse chapter has a St Patrick Day Parade on the Saturday prior to March 17 each year, in downtown La Crosse. In addition, the La Crosse Chapter also has a number of activities during the week before St Patrick's Day, including caroling at nursing homes. Green Bay St. Patrick Day Parade The Shamrock Club of Green Bay and Northeastern Wisconsin has a parade in downtown Green Bay on the Saturday prior to St. Patrick's Day. Beloit St. Patricks Day Parade The Rock County Chapter of the Shamrock Club is no longer in existence. The Shamrock club does not have a connection to the Beloit St. Patrick's Day parade any longer. The Beloit St. Patricks Day Parade took place every year in downtown Beloit. The parade began at the Kerry Group headquarters, a prominent food producer having originated in Ireland, and finished in Beloit's Central Park (Horace White). The parade was held annually on the Friday before St. Patricks Day. Notes References Parade-goers are green and Gabby Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, by BRUCE MURPHY March 16, 2003 Shamrock Club and Bluemound Group Split Story Hill News January 18, 2004 Jackie Loohauis - Dancing, drumming for warmth. Last Updated: Feb. 28, 2001 JS online Jeff Sherman - NYPD marches in Milwaukee parade. OnMilwaukee.com Last Updated:March 3, 2007 Jim Stingl - In my story closet, nothing is left hanging; February 21, 2009 Kathy Arenz