Wellsville Irishman John Dean will be Grand Marshall for 4pm street party
From Brian Cannon, Allegany County Ancient Order of Hibernians, photo by Genesee Valley Media
After a long, cold winter, downtown Wellsville, NY will be awash in a sea of green on Friday March 13th, 2026 as the 4th Annual Allegany County Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) “Worlds Shortest Saint Patricks day parade will assemble and trek all of Twelve (12′) Feet through the intersection of Main Street and Eaton Court in Mid Town Wellsville business district. The World’s Shortest Saint Patricks Day parade will start at 5 pm after the national Anthem and will be lined up starting at 4 pm when the central block area is closed by the Village of Wellsville to through traffic.
This year’s Parade Grand Marshall is Wellsville’s own resident Irishman, John Dean who will be escorted through the parade route by his wife Wanda along with Local Piper Steven Walker of Andover, NY and Owner of Walker Metalsmiths Celtic Jewelry. Grand Marshall Dean will get to be in the parade twice as he will be able to march at the end of the parade with his Emeralds Hook & Ladder Fire Company #3. Wanda Dean also may get a second pass in the parade as she is expected to drive her Irish Fiat and perhaps have Sister Alice riding shotgun! The local AOH Division is expecting AOH members from Hornell, Olean and Rochester to participate in the parade and the Parade may also be blessed with the presence of Saint Patrick himself in the parade.
This years Shortest 12 foot Parade will again feature our local Unit 702 Wellsville American Legion Auxillary Color Guard as well as the Legion Riders from Wellsville, NY. the local Shenanigan Sisters who have been rehearsing their routines most of the winter. In addition, we expect to have Heidi Noel’s Performing Arts Center Dancers, The Wellsville Chamber of Commerce, The Allegany County Sheriff’s Wellness team, The David Howe Library and CTC Certified Safety Products of Andover. Mark Bokman of Bokman of Wellsville Chevrolet and GMC Trucks has hinted that they may have a “Green Alien” in this years parade so watch closely as the parade traverses the 12 foot route quickly. Tops Friendly Market in Wellsville, NY will also have an entry in the parade for the first time. Local Wellsville High School Section V and State Champions in Track and Wrestling have been invited to honor our local athletes and their coaches accomplishments
Before and after the parade Piper Steve Walker and the Walker Metalsmith Team are expected to have a display of the historic Irish Illuminated Saint Patrick’s Breastplate breastplate
Allegany County AOH Division President John Dean of Andover, suggests coming to Wellsville early and stay late as all the Restaurants, pubs and Service Clubs will be open as well as local stores including the H “From the Hart” Irish Store which is located on Main Street at the parade finish line where you can get all your Irish gear for the parade.
The Mariotti Family’s Wellsville Brewing will be open for business as they now have their NY State Liquor License this year to serve thirsty Parade watchers and participants. Casey and Jasmine Maglier’s L’Italia Restaurant will again be open early and will be serving food and beverages all day as their location is directly in line with the twelve foot parade route. Shane Vogel and his Stillwater Grill team will again have their Irish Beer garden open all day and evening for patio and indoor dining. The local AOH Division thanks the Stillwater Grill, L’Italia and Wellsville Brewing along with TryIt Distributing for their contributions to help pay for parade insurance and expenses to make this Worlds Shortest 12 foot parade happen this year.
Last years parade was held in tropical 76 degree F weather and this year is expected to be cooler in the mid 40s with ‘Irish-like’ broken sun and clouds so dress like you are in Ireland!
For more information and to be in the Worlds Shortest Saint Patrick’s Day Parade contact AOH Member Brian Cannon at aohcannon@gmail.com or visit the Allegany County Ancient Order of Hibernian’s Facebook page at https://Facebook.com/WellsvilleAOH
