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CONTACT: Cory Myers [email protected] 605-261-7896 Retired Firefighter and Parade Stalwart Kelly Grogan is Third in Family to be Named Grand Marshal of Sioux Falls St. Patrick’s Day Parade The Grogan surname is well-known both in the Sioux Falls’ Irish community and the city at large. A St. Patrick’s Day Parade fixture going all the way back to the beginning of the event, the Grogan family has a long history of leadership at the event. So it’s no surprise that Kelly Grogan has been named as this year’s Grand Marshal of the Sioux Falls St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Kelly, a long-time firefighter with the Sioux Falls Fire and Rescue before retiring in 2014, is the third Grogan to receive the honor of being grand marshal, following his mother Cleopha Grogan in 2001, and older brother Hugh Grogan in 2019. Growing up, Kelly says his mother instilled the importance of the parade into the entire family. “Mom was the one that kept us on the straight and narrow and made sure we knew it was our responsibility to be part of the parade,” Kelly said. “It was important to follow our ancestry and family history, and to keep that Irish pride.” The 46th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade will take place on Saturday, March 14, in downtown Sioux Falls. In the spirit of founder Sylvia Henkin, it is often called “The People’s Parade,” meaning it is free and open to the public. Anyone can enter a float or walk in the parade as long as they are registered or part of a registered group and are wearing an official St. Patrick’s Day Parade button. This year, the parade also has a presenting “Emerald City” sponsor, Central Bank. Thanks to their generosity, the falls at Falls Park will be lit green from March 13th through the 17th to celebrate the holiday. "Community and family connection are at the core of the St. Patrick's Day Parade, and that spirit aligns naturally with Central Bank's commitment to the markets we serve," said Nick Brown, Regional President and incoming Chief Executive Officer of Central Bank. "We're proud to partner in elevating this experience for Sioux Falls families while also contributing to the meaningful nonprofit work the parade supports. It's an opportunity to celebrate together and give back at the same time." Parade participation buttons cost $3 and are available in advance at The Blarney Stone Pub, 605 Running Company, and The Cookie Jar. Buttons may also be purchased on March 14 before the parade starts. Ryan Murphy, chair of the St. Patrick’s Day Extravaganza Committee, praised Kelly and the Grogan family’s dedication to the parade. The Grogan family is such a stalwart of our parade, and such an important family in our town when it comes to Irish history,” Murphy said. “And when you look at Kelly specifically, all the different ways he’s helped the Sioux Falls community through his career and giving back, he’s a wonderful selection for grand marshal.” Kelly was nominated for grand marshal by family members and friends, and the parade committee reviews nominees, and selected Grogan. Born and raised here in Sioux Falls’ North End, Kelly is part of a large Irish family of 11 children born to Walter Brendan Grogan and Cleopha Isabella (Malloy) Grogan. The middle kid of the bunch, Kelly remembers fondly growing up with his brothers and sisters, as well as all the other families in the neighborhood. “There were advantages to being the middle child,” Kelly says. “Whenever the older kids got to do something, I was one of the older kids. And when the younger kids got to do something, well I was a younger kid. I tried to use that to get out of chores, too.” Kelly and his wife Tania de Oliveira Grogan are part-owners of the family-owned restaurant Roots of Brazil, and have three children; Kaila Gillespie, Jamie Grogan, and Melissa Grogan-Honkomp. Add in the grandchildren (Simone, Shayla, Lucas, Sophia, Izzie, Aubrey, and Irelynn), siblings, nieces, nephews, and in some cases great-grandchildren, and the immediate Grogan family clan has grown to more than 125. And they still make it an effort to gather every year, enter a float, and walk in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. “It used to be the oldest leading the way, but now we’re getting up in years, and it’s the youngest of our family that are taking the lead,” Kelly said. In an additional nod to that family connection, Kelly has invited his brothers to join him in many of his grand marshal duties this year, including the painting of the shamrock and walking alongside him at the head of the parade. There is one thing they aren’t invited to, though. “Only one of us can speak at the ceremony,” Kelly laughed. “They’d all want a piece of that!” And the family just might have a special float planned to commemorate Kelly’s grand marshal honor. “This year we’re going to go big,” Gillespie said. “The theme will honor our family’s Irish heritage and pay respects to firemen.” The parade, which brings together the regional community in celebration, typically features around 100 entries. Placement in the parade is on a first-come, first-served basis and at the discretion of parade officials. Each entry must incorporate an Irish theme. The website also includes detailed participation rules. Parade Buttons & Community Partnership This year, St. Francis House, a nonprofit serving the homeless, will receive a portion of button sales. Each year, the committee partners with a nonprofit to support their mission. A fun fact: St. Francis House was founded March 17, 1987, and was christened by then-Father James Doyle, who later became Monsignor James Doyle and served as the parade’s Grand Marshal in 1999. Parade Day Events & Route Information
Sponsors & Special Events Including our Emerald City Presenting Sponsor, Central Bank, the parade is made possible through generous contributions from sponsors: Avera Health, Burwell Enterprises, Central Bank, Fiegan Construction, First Premier Bank, Jack Rose Social Club, Security National Bank, Xcel Energy, Lloyd Companies, Maguire, Dakota Beverage, Hagen, Wilka & Archer Law, The First National Bank in Sioux Falls, First Interstate Bank, Minervas, State Farm - Tate Teveldal, and Sir Lines-A-Lot. Additional parade day festivities include:
PHOTOS INCLUDED: Kelly Grogan head shot Four Grogan brothers, from left, Wally, Hugh, Brian, Kelly. Grogan family with one of their parade floats Grogan11. From left: Hugh, Sheila, Shannon, Molly, Patty, Kelly, Brian, Erin, Laurie, Wally, and Colleen Kelly Grogan immediate family in front of Roots of Brazil
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