Although today is the formal commemoration of St. Patrick's Day, the City of Atchison celebrated early, as tradition holds, complete with the Saturday morning crowning of Grand Marshal Steve Pickman, followed by the afternoon, downtown parade.

Each year, parade entrants vie for top honors, in their division, with Parade Chair Janie Pickman announcing the winners:

Youth/orgazation
1. American legion
2. Atchison bulldogs cheer squad
3. 1st Baptist church youth group
Business
1. Atchison animal clinic
2. Exchange bank
3. Bunker at Bellevue
Family
1. Pickmans family
2. Dooley/Durkin family
3. Hegarty family

Pickman, in correspondence with MSC News, says, "thank you for everyone that helped make this years parade a huge success!"