The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-03-17
.STRATFORD'S ST.
 PATRICK'S PARADE

The old town of Stratford is outdoing itself to-day in preparation for the St. Patrick's parade tonight. Already the residents have taken on their holiday garb each neighborkood outstripping himself ito vie with the other. The committee on arrangements which in- cludes Rev. Michael O'Connor. Patrick Cullen. James J. Sexton. Charles Gra- ham. Timothy Ryan. Patrick Ahearn and John J. Dunn have spared no ex- pense to make the celebration ton ght one long to be remembered iI the al- nalS of the old town.
 The selectmen of the town have giv- en the committee the power to do al- most as they chose to make the event success. The line of march will be brilliantly illuminated with bon fires and red and green lights. The mem bers of Div. No. 1. A. O. H.. of the town have secured every place possib e for old barrels of which they have ob- tained a larGe number of which ths biggest part are old tar barrels wh c1 will last the longest in burning. A regular appointed committee has been selected to superintend the distribution and setting off the. fire works which will be the latest effects.
 The Bridgeporters in the parade will be the three divisions of the A O. H. and the Hibernian Rifles. They will meet this evening at Hibernian hall
  to Main street to Fairfield avenue headed by the Woodmen of the World band They will board special trolley cars at D. m.
 Brook the dividing line between the two towns by a delegation from Div. No. l. A. O. H.. of Stratford. The cars will bring them to H bernian hal at Reardsley's corner where lunch will be served the visitors.
 After lunch the parade will be form ed. led by Patrick Cullen. presid mt of Div. No. l. A. O. H.. of Stratford. fol- horse back. most of whom are mem bers of Okenuck tribe of Red Men. The Woodmen of the World hand W Il follow immediately after which the Mccarthy in command will follow. Next in line will be Div. No. 1. A. O. H.. of Stratford. along with the three divisions from Bridgeport The second Drum Corps of Stratford followed by the Cadets of St. James church and all the Catholic citizens of the town.
 The committee have enough green to all those who desire to march in the parade. A feature of the parade will be the 300 red, white. blue, green and purple lanterns which will be carried by the men in the procession. AS Stratford has no street lighting system and is very dark at night the myriads of varied colored lights will show up to perfection. more so than can be seen in this city where the electric lights spoil the general color scheme.
 In the parade there will be seen the largest Irish flag in Connecticut. loan ed to the society by William Clifford of this city. There will also be many other large Irish flags the property of the local Hibernians who have also given their handsome silk American banners. Sheriff Charles Stagg, Jere- mialh O'Leary and John Farrell have also loaned flags. The line of march will be, starting at the Hibernian hall at Bee rdsley's corner, to Main to South End road where the Irish fam flies will have a monster bonfire. to Elm street, to South avenue, to Main street to the town hall.
 Immediately after the parade trolley cars will be in waiting to teke back the Bridgeport divisions of Hibernians and the hand. who will alight from the ear at the corner of Main and Fair field avenue. and march to Arion hall where Division No. is holding a grand ball.
 The committee invites all the local Catholic oreaniZs tious that can do so to join in the parade.